Candida Endocarditis Of the Tricuspid Valve

Abstract

To the Editor.— It has been suggested that Candida organisms are ordinarily incapable of initiating infection on a normal valve. 1 Review of the literature revealed five cases of Candida endocarditis that appeared to have solely involved the tricuspid valve. 2-6 An underlying endocardial lesion invariably preceded these fungal infections. In this respect, our own case was exceptional. Report of a Case.— Endocarditis was discovered postmortem in a 77-year-old man with chronic obstructive lung disease of 15 years' duration. There was no past history of congenital heart disease, rheumatic fever, cardiac catheterization, trauma, or surgery of the heart, bacterial endocarditis, diabetes mellitus, or steroid treatment—all known to be predisposing factors in Candida endocarditis. However, recurrent pulmonary infections with a variety of bacterial organisms required treatment with multiple antibiotics, including penicillin, streptomycin, ampicillin, and cephalothin sodium. His terminal admission was prompted by an acute cardiorespiratory decompensation of five days' duration. Cyanosis,