H vaginicola endocarditis in a heroin addict.

Abstract

To the Editor.— Helpern and Rho reported endocarditis and sepsis as a cause of death in 8.7% of narcotic addicts dying in New York city over a 12-year period. 1 Hussey and Katz found that 8% of 102 addicts with a variety of infections had endocarditis. 2 The mortality was high. In a review of 60 cases Conway 3 noted involvement of the triscuspid valve in 40%, with evidence of preexisting valvular disease in 22%. The staphylococcus was the usual invading organism, with Candida and pseudomas varieties and gram-negative enteric bacteria reported less frequently. Since the addict is prone to use nonsterile techniques for intravenous injections, invasion by lesscommon organisms can be expected. Herellea vaginicola is a member of the tribe Mimeae. Invasion of the blood stream has been reported following contamination of polyethylene catheters. Most instances of clinical disease resulting from H vaginicola have occurred in patients with serious