A Rare Case of a Penetrating Aortic Ulcer Due to Neisseria Gonorrhoeae

Abstract

Infectious aortitis is an extremely rare condition with an insidious presentation. Here we describe an unusual case of a penetrating ulcer in the ascending aorta that was caused by a chronic Neisseria gonorrhoea infection. The case illustrates the importance of taking a detailed sexual history of patients presenting with aortitis and the value of molecular microbiological techniques for establishing an accurate diagnosis.