02/09/2026
Middle-aged patient presents with
persistent fever, chills, malaise, weight loss, and progressive exertional dyspnea following recent dental manipulation or underlying valvular disease. Examination identifies a new or changing regurgitant cardiac murmur, linear splinter hemorrhages beneath fingernails, painless erythematous macules on palms and soles, tender violaceous digital nodules, conjunctival petechiae, and retinal hemorrhages with pale centers. Blood cultures obtained before antimicrobial therapy repeatedly isolate a typical causative organism, while transesophageal echocardiography demonstrates mobile valvular vegetations fulfilling major diagnostic criteria. Persistent bacteremia with echocardiographically proven vegetations accompanied by characteristic peripheral stigmata constitutes the classic diagnostic clue.
Diagnosis: Infective endocarditis