We present here a case of sepsis due to infectious endocarditis in a methamphetamine abuser. A 32 year-old male presented high fever and abdominal pain last two weeks. He was admitted to the hospital on the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis. In the evening on the day of admission, he suddenly collapsed. Despite of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, his death was confirmed. From the autopsy findings, toxicological analysis and results of the microbiological examination, we concluded that the cause of death was septic shock due to infectious endocarditis, presumably based on the methamphetamine abuse. The result obtained from microbiological examination gave us useful information. We shall have to be on the lookout, not only for acute poisoning, but also for cases of drug abuse related deaths.

Department of Legal Medicine Hyogo College of Medicine Nishinomiya Hyogo 663 8501 Japan