Infective endocarditis after oral body piercing

Cardiol Rev. 2003 Sep-Oct;11(5):252-5. doi: 10.1097/01.crd.0000086227.46088.fd.

Abstract

Body piercing has become an increasingly common practice in the United States and elsewhere. Although perceived as a relatively safe practice, it poses the risk of numerous infectious complications. Oral body piercing in particular has significant potential risk given the known relationship of oral flora to bacteremia. We describe a patient who developed infective endocarditis shortly after undergoing oral piercing.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bacteremia / microbiology
  • Body Image
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / diagnostic imaging
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / etiology*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Haemophilus parainfluenzae / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mouth / injuries*
  • Punctures / adverse effects*
  • Ultrasonography