Article Text
Summary
Blood culture-negative endocarditis (BCNE) is difficult to diagnose because one of the major criteria to raise suspicion for endocarditis, a positive blood culture, is absent. BCNE accounts for 2.5% to 31% of all cases of endocarditis. Our report describes a 69-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease who presented with altered mental status. Physical examination and testing, including complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, chest X-ray and head CT were otherwise unremarkable. Brain MRI revealed multiple areas of decreased diffusion concerning for cardioembolic stroke. A transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated an abnormality on the mitral valve. Operative evaluation revealed a purulent mitral valve with vegetative clumps. Cultures of the vegetation and the blood grew no organisms. BCNE is a rare entity; neurological abnormalities may be the only presenting signs/symptoms. Endocarditis should be considered among the causes of altered mental status, even in the absence of positive blood cultures.
- infectious diseases
- valvar diseases
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Footnotes
Contributors JRD conducted the literature review, created the manuscript, obtained the images and presented the manuscript to the related patient, obtaining consent from the patient. CRC coordinated the manuscript development and submission process and reviewed and edited the manuscript.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Obtained.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.