Does steroid exposure adversely affect the outcome of subacute bacterial endocarditis? Report of two cases.

Multivalvular endocarditis of native cardiac valves due to streptococci in patients without any predisposing conditions has not been reported previously. Moreover, the effect of exposure to systemic steroids on the outcome of subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE) is not well known. We describe 2 patients with SBE involving 3 native cardiac valves, who were initially exposed to systemic steroid therapy under the clinical impression of 'rheumatologic disorders'.