Right-side endocarditis in injection drug users: Review of proposed mechanisms of pathogenesis

Jennifer A. Frontera, Jeremy D. Gradon

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    170 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Infective endocarditis of the right-side heart valves occurs commonly in injection drug users. Although a variety of hypotheses have been put forward to explain this clinical observation, no single hypothesis is adequate. In this article, basic scientific, clinical, and microbiological data on this topic are presented. It is apparent that no clear unifying mechanism emerges to explain the well-documented clinical predilection for the infection of the right-side heart valves in this population. Further investigation of this topic utilizing large international clinical registries may help to clarify matters further.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)374-379
    Number of pages6
    JournalClinical Infectious Diseases
    Volume30
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 2000

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Microbiology (medical)
    • Infectious Diseases

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