title: Polymicrobial infective endocarditis caused by Neisseria sicca and Haemophilus parainfluenzae.
abstract: Infective endocarditis is a common clinical problem in industrialized countries. Risk factors include abnormal cardiac valves, a history of endocarditis, intracardiac devices, prosthetic valves and intravenous drug use. We report a case of polymicrobial infective endocarditis in a 33 year-old female with a history chronic heroin use caused by Neisseria sicca and Haemophilus parainfluenzae. We believe the patient was exposed to these microbes by cleansing her skin with saliva prior to injection. Pairing a detailed history with the consideration of atypical agents is crucial in the proper diagnosis and management of endocarditis in patients with high-risk injection behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Nikoloz
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koshkelashvili
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Mahek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: J Nicolas
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Codolosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Disease, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Antonette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Climaco
keywords: Haemophilus parainfluenzae; Neisseria sicca; Polymicrobial endocarditis