[Respiratory distress in an addict on parenteral drugs with tricuspid endocarditis due to Staphylococcus aureus and with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia].

A case of a female, intravenous (I.V.) drug user with respiratory distress syndrome as first manifestation 24 hours after admission, is presented. The clinical suspicion of tricuspid valve endocarditis associated to Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia arose because this patient was a member of a high-risk AIDS group. An empiric treatment was applied and the diagnosis was made posterior to this. We comment on the unusual coincidence of both pathologic states, highlighting the early diagnosis and treatment.