A Diagnostic Odyssey: From Pulmonic to Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis.

Authors

• Mustafa Arain
• Taysir Al Janabi
• Taha Abdul Rehman
• Umair Tariq

Publication/Presentation Date

4-1-2026

Abstract

Infective endocarditis (IE) carries substantial morbidity and mortality despite appropriate antibiotic therapy and surgery. Right-sided IE is uncommon, and isolated pulmonic valve involvement is particularly rare. Echocardiography, transthoracic (TTE) and especially transesophageal (TEE), remains the cornerstone of diagnosis, although sensitivity may be limited, particularly in prosthetic valves. We report a 65-year-old man with prior bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement who presented after outpatient blood cultures grew gram-positive cocci. He described six weeks of exertional dyspnea, drenching night sweats, and 20-lb unintentional weight loss without recreational substance use. Blood cultures speciated to

Volume

18

Issue

4

First Page

106749

Last Page

106749

ISSN

2168-8184

Published In/Presented At

Arain, M., Al Janabi, T., Abdul Rehman, T., & Tariq, U. (2026). A Diagnostic Odyssey: From Pulmonic to Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis. Cureus, 18(4), e106749. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.106749

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

42116988

Department(s)

Fellows and Residents

Document Type

Article