Gonococcal endocarditis

Three cases of endocarditis caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae involving the aortic, mitral an tricuspid valves are reported. Two cases in young women, following syndromes suggestive of gonococcal arthritis, presented as acute endocarditis and were fatal. The male patient experienced a subacute course, and the diagnosis was suggested by finding an extremely high level of antigonococcal antibody. This old, though now rare, disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with histories of gonococcal illness and with findings of bacterial endocarditis.