A case of native tricuspid valve Neisseria mucosa/sicca species infective endocarditis complicated by septic pulmonary emboli.

We report a rare case of native tricuspid valve infective endocarditis caused by Neisseria mucosa/sicca, a gram-negative diplococcus which colonizes the upper respiratory tract. A female in her late 20 s with a history of injection drug use (IDU) who recently completed treatment for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) native tricuspid valve infective endocarditis presented to the hospital with a 6-week history of increasing chest pain, shortness of breath and night sweats. Blood cultures grew Neisseria mucosa/sicca species in 3 of 3 sets.

Rab11-dependent Recycling of the Human Ether-a-go-go-related Gene (hERG) Channel.

The human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) encodes the pore-forming subunit of the rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium channel (IKr). A reduction in the hERG current causes long QT syndrome, which predisposes affected individuals to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. We reported previously that hERG channels in the plasma membrane undergo vigorous internalization under low K(+) conditions.