Endocarditis on a left atrial myxoma.

A 55-year-old woman presented with fever and malaise. Three blood cultures were positive for Streptococcus sanguis. A diagnosis of endocarditis was made and the patient was treated with intravenous penicillin and gentamicin. Endocardiography revealed a large left atrial tumour. At operation a myxoma covered by deposits of fibrin was excised. Microscopy revealed massive infiltrates of neutrophils and remnants of bacteria, indicating that this myxoma was a nest for infection.