A patient with AIDS presented with infective endocarditis, a rare and opportunistic infection. The diagnosis was established through blood cultures identifying Campylobacter fetus, a zoonotic bacterium, as the causative agent. This case highlights native tricuspid valve involvement, which is uncommon for C. fetus endocarditis, typically affecting prosthetic valves or individuals with structural heart disease. The patient's immunocompromised status due to AIDS likely predisposed them to this severe manifestation. Early and accurate pathogen identification was crucial for guiding appropriate antimicrobial therapy in this vulnerable population. This case underscores the importance of considering unusual pathogens in immunocompromised patients with endocarditis.
Key note: Campylobacter fetus can cause infective endocarditis, especially in immunocompromised individuals like those with AIDS, often involving native valves.