Abstract 13191: Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis and Acute Renal Failure as a Sign of Infective Endocarditis: A Case Report

Abstract

Case Presentation: Infective endocarditis (IE) can sometimes be a diagnostic challenge because its presentation in its early stages may coincide with that of several other disease processes. It has an incidence of ~7 per 100,000 annually yet has an in-hospital mortality of about 20-25%. We present a case of a 56-year-old immunocompetent male with a recent diagnosis of leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) who was admitted for acute renal failure (ARF). With his history of LCV (Figure 1), renal vasculitis was thought to be contributing to his ARF. On admission, he was afebrile and had a creatinine of 5.25 (baseline of 0.8), hyponatremia, anemia, mild leukocytosis, and mildly elevated lactate. No other infectious sequelae were noted. Nephrology was consulted for workup of renal failure, and a renal biopsy was recommended. Before the biopsy was able to be performed, blood cultures returned positive for Enterococcus faecalis. Transesophageal echocardiogram revealed a large, mobile 1.3-centimeter vegetation attached to the left ventricular outflow tract side of the non-coronary cusp of the aortic valve. Parenteral antibiotics were initiated, and cardiothoracic surgery was consulted for surgical correction. The patient ultimately underwent aortic valve replacement successfully with renal recovery to baseline and resolution of his leukocytoclastic vasculitis soon thereafter. Discussion: LCV has been established as a rare, but well-reported sign of IE. Similarly, only a few cases of IE presenting as ARF have been reported. In patients presenting with both LCV and ARF, it is important to maintain a high index of suspicion for IE. Going down the pathway to work up renal vasculitis may unnecessarily expose patients to invasive procedures, incorrect treatment modalities, and other complications.