title: Tricuspid valve endocarditis complicated by Mobitz type II heart block - a case report and literature review.
abstract: We present a case of a middle-aged male who manifested with low-grade fever and lower back pain. MRI and bone scan of the spine were suggestive of vertebral osteomyelitis. Blood cultures were persistently positive for Enterococcus faecalis and echocardiogram revealed tricuspid valve endocarditis. There was no history of IV drug use and urine toxicology was negative. EKG showed Mobitz type II AV block and a transesophageal echocardiogram revealed no valve ring or septal abscesses. The heart block persisted despite antibiotic therapy and an epicardial pacemaker was placed. This is a rare presentation of high-grade AV block with tricuspid endocarditis in the absence of echocardiographic evidence of perivalvular extension of infection. Also, unique in this case is the finding of E. faecalis hematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis.
authors.affiliation: Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA; chidoziecharles82@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Chidozie Charles
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Agu
authors.affiliation: Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Divya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Salhan
authors.affiliation: Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bakhit
authors.affiliation: Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Hiba
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Basheer
authors.affiliation: Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Md
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Basunia
authors.affiliation: Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Bikash
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bhattarai
authors.affiliation: Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Vikram
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Oke
authors.affiliation: Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Marie Frances
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Interfaith Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Alix
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dufresne
keywords: Enterococcus faecalis; Mobitz type II AV block; tricuspid valve endocarditis; vertebral osteomyelitis