A 37-year-old female presents to the emergency room with a
fever. Chest x-ray shows multiple patchy infiltrates in both lungs.
Echocardiography and blood cultures suggest a diagnosis of acute bacterial
endocarditis limited to the tricuspid valve. Which of the following is the most
probable etiology?
A. Congenital heart disease
B. Illicit drug use
C. Rheumatic fever
D. Rheumatoid arthritis
E. Systemic lupus erythematosus
