Endocarditis caused by Tropheryma whippelii

Cardiac involvement in Whipple's discase is frequent. However, its clinical occurrence without gastrointestinal symptoms is rarely described. Whipple's endocarditis occurs ollen in patients wilh native valves, without underlying, disease. It affects frequently more than one valve h, the same patient. Its clhlical presentation is generally subacute or chronic. Fever and congestive heart failure are fickle. Histological findings on the valves suggest the diagnosis, that con be confirmed by PCR technique. Treatment must be prolonged. We report a case of Whipple's endocarditis revealed by arterial embolisms and fever appeured 3 weeks after the onset.