This is the post-mortem specimen of a patient with weight loss 
and breathlessness.

a. What does the picture show?

b. What are the most common pathogens?

c. What ocular signs may be present?

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This is the post-mortem specimen of a patient with weight loss 
and breathlessness.

a. What does the picture show?

Vegetation on the bicuspid valves. 
The patient had infective endocarditis.

b. What are the most common pathogens?

The most common pathogens are:
• Streptococcus viridans
• Streptococcus faecalis
• Staphylococcus aureus

c. What ocular signs may be present?

Ocular features include:

• Roth spots (retinal haemorrhages with a white centre) 
• retinal occlusion from infective emboli
• endophthalmitis from infective emboli.

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