A case of infectious endocarditis (IE)

A 26-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for treatment of fever of unknown origin. She had tender erythematous nodules on her fingertips, and nontender erythematous nodules on her palms and soles. Endocardiography showed oscillating intercardiac vegetation, and blood culture tested positive for a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. Thus, the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis was made, and resection of vegetation was performed. Most of the nodules disappeared after treatment by operation and antibiotics. The tender erythematous nodules on her fingertips were believed to be Osler's nodes and the nontender erythematous nodules on her palms and soles were compatible with Janeway's lesion.