Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Wegener Granulomatosis) Mimicking Infective Endocarditis
  • Imène Rachdi
    Department of Internal Medicine, Habib Thameur Hospital, University El Manar, Tunis
  • Lilia Baili
    Department of Internal Medicine, Habib Thameur Hospital, University El Manar, Tunis
  • Fatma Daoud
    Department of Internal Medicine, Habib Thameur Hospital, University El Manar, Tunis
  • Zohra Aydi
    Department of Internal Medicine, Habib Thameur Hospital, University El Manar, Tunis
  • Hana Zoubeidi
    Department of Internal Medicine, Habib Thameur Hospital, University El Manar, Tunis
  • Basma Ben Dhaou
    Department of Internal Medicine, Habib Thameur Hospital, University El Manar, Tunis
  • Fatma Boussema
    Department of Internal Medicine, Habib Thameur Hospital, University El Manar, Tunis

Abstract

Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) has been reported to mimic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and to test positive to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), which may lead to a misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

Case presentation: We report a case of a 59-year-old man admitted for purpura, gangrenous digital infarcts and glomerulonephritis. The diagnosis of IE was initially considered on the basis of heart murmur and two positive haemocultures to corynebacterium. Ineffectiveness of antimicrobial therapy and further neurological and nasal manifestations supported the diagnosis of GPA.

Conclusions: IE should be ruled out before initiation of immunosuppressive treatment. If the disease progresses despite antimicrobial treatment, vascular diseases should be rapidly taken into account in differential diagnosis and treated early to avoid fatal complications.

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    Published: 2014-10-02
    Issue: Vol. 1 (2014) (view)

    How to cite:
    1.
    Rachdi I, Baili L, Daoud F, Aydi Z, Zoubeidi H, Ben Dhaou B, Boussema F. Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Wegener Granulomatosis) Mimicking Infective Endocarditis. EJCRIM 2014;1 doi:10.12890/2014_000116.

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