A 24-year-old man presents to the emergency department with fever, chills, night sweats, malaise, and fatigue that started three days ago. In the past 24 hours, he has become short of breath. He admits to using intravenous drugs regularly. At presentation the patient is shaking and appears pale. Physical examination is remarkable for a temperature of 39.4°C (103°F), hypoxia to 88% on room air, jugular venous distention, bilaterally decreased breath sounds at the bases of the lungs, and a grade III/VI systolic murmur heard best at the lower left sternal border. Which pathogen is most likely responsible for this patient’s condition?
(A) Enterococcus faecalis
(B) Haemophilus aphrophilus
© Staphylococcus aureus
(D) Streptococcus bovis
(E) Streptococcus viridans