An Invasive Case of Left-Sided Endocarditis Caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Patient with History of Intravenous Drug Abuse

Abstract

Infective endocarditis, caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is rarely seen in clinical practice. It has been reported mainly in intravenous drug abusers (IVDA). We present a case of a 63-year-old male who presented with abdominal pain and fever. Computed tomography (CT) abdomen showed splenic and renal infarct. The blood culture grew Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A transthoracic echocardiogram showed aortic insufficiency with 13 mm mobile vegetation. The patient was started on ceftazidime and tobramycin and, later on, surgery was done for aortic valve replacement. His stay was complicated by multiple hemorrhagic emboli in the brain. This case highlights the importance of the early diagnosis and management of infective endocarditis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.