Pneumococcal Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis in a Young African American: A Case for Inclusion of African Americans in Pneumococcal Vaccine Criteria

Abstract

Following the development of penicillin, complications from streptococcus pneumonia such as endocarditis have become rare. However, certain independent risk factors such as cigarette smoking and being of African-American (AA) decent have been associated with a higher incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease, but only cigarette smoking has been targeted by current recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunological Practices (ACIPs). We report a case of a young AA smoker, who developed an isolated tricuspid valve pneumococcal endocarditis. This case will illustrate the high susceptibility for invasive pneumococcus sequelae in AA, thereby raising the argument for the consideration of AA in the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) criteria, regardless of smoking history.

Recurrent Mitral Valve Endocarditis Caused byStreptococcus pneumoniaein a Splenectomized Host

“…The combined medical and surgical approach has improved outcomes, as compared to medical treatment alone in this group of patients [ 10 , 13 ]. Pneumococcal vaccine should be administered to all at-risk patients to prevent complications and recurrence of PE [ 18 , 19 ]. Our patient was prone to pneumococcal bacteremia and endocarditis even though pneumococcal vaccine was administered.…”