what is the most common cause of infective endocarditis course

by Freda Smitham 6 min read

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of endocarditis

Endocarditis

Infection of the endocardium, usually involving heart valves.

in people who use intravenous drugs. Viridans streptococci

Streptococcus

Streptococcus is a genus of gram-positive coccus or spherical bacteria that belongs to the family Streptococcaceae, within the order Lactobacillales, in the phylum Firmicutes. Cell division in streptococci occurs along a single axis, so as they grow, they tend to form pairs or chains that may appear bent or twisted.

and Enterococci

Enterococcus

Enterococcus is a large genus of lactic acid bacteria of the phylum Firmicutes. Enterococci are Gram-positive cocci that often occur in pairs or short chains, and are difficult to distinguish from streptococci on physical characteristics alone. Two species are common commensal organisms in the intestines of humans: E. faecalis and E. faecium. Rare clusters of infections occur with other species, includi…

are the second and third most common organisms responsible for infective endocarditis. Viridans streptococci are a common cause of infective endocarditis in South America.

Approximately 80% of infective endocarditis cases are caused by the bacteria streptococci and staphylococci. The third most common bacteria causing this disease is enterococci, and, like staphylococci, is commonly associated with healthcare-associated infective endocarditis.

Full Answer

How serious is bacterial endocarditis?

When a person has bacterial endocarditis, these valves may not be able to work properly. This can force the heart to work harder to get blood out to the body. Sometimes the heart can’t pump out enough blood. Bacterial endocarditis is a serious condition that can sometimes lead to death.

How can you get bacterial endocarditis?

  • Artificial Heart Valve- Through this the person is exposed to exogenous infection, so in few cases infection is initiated in early stages of replacement. ...
  • Cardiac implantations
  • Hemodialysis is another route through which bacteria gain entry into the bloodstream.

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How to diagnose endocarditis?

You can help prepare for your appointment by taking these steps:

  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing. Be sure to note how long you've had particular symptoms. ...
  • Make a list of your key medical information. ...
  • Find a family member or friend who can come with you to the appointment. ...

Is swelling a symptom of endocarditis?

Symptoms may include:

  • fever
  • chest pain
  • weakness
  • blood in urine
  • chills
  • sweating
  • red skin rash
  • white spots in mouth or on tongue
  • pain and swelling in joints
  • muscle aches and tenderness

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What is the most common cause of infective endocarditis?

Endocarditis begins when germs enter the bloodstream and then travel to the heart. Bacterial infection is the most common cause of endocarditis. Endocarditis can also be caused by fungi, such as Candida. In some cases, no cause can be found.

What is the most common cause of endocarditis quizlet?

Strep viridans species is the most common bacterial pathogen to cause endocarditis. Strep viridans is a low virulence species of bacteria that infects previously damaged valves. Like valves damaged by rheumatic heart disease or mitral valve prolapse.

What is the most common complication of infective endocarditis?

Congestive heart failure caused by aortic valve insufficiency is the most common intracardiac complication of subacute endocarditis. It develops after months of untreated disease but may occur a full year following microbiological cure.

What is infective endocarditis?

Infective endocarditis, also called bacterial endocarditis, is an infection caused by bacteria that enter the bloodstream and settle in the heart lining, a heart valve or a blood vessel. IE is uncommon, but people with some heart conditions have a greater risk of developing it.

What is the most common predisposing factor to the development of infective endocarditis quizlet?

The most common risk factors for infective endocarditis are previous heart damage, recent heart surgery or poor dental hygiene.

What are the risk factors for infective endocarditis?

The most significant risk factor for IE is residual valvular damage caused by a previous attack of endocarditis. Many possible risk factors for the development of pacemaker IE have been described, including diabetes mellitus, age, and use of anticoagulants and corticosteroids; the evidence for these is conflicting.

Which valve is most common for endocarditis?

The tricuspid valve is most commonly affected (50%), whereas involvement of the mitral and aortic valves is less common (20% each). The involvement of multiple valves is common. Pulmonary valve endocarditis is rare.

Which of the following are risk factors for developing endocarditis?

Risk factorsOlder age. Endocarditis occurs most often in older adults over age 60.Artificial heart valves. ... Damaged heart valves. ... Congenital heart defects. ... Implanted heart device. ... A history of endocarditis. ... A history of illegal IV drug use. ... Poor dental health.More items...•

Which part of the heart is affected by endocarditis?

Endocarditis is a rare and potentially fatal infection of the inner lining of the heart (the endocardium). It's most commonly caused by bacteria entering the blood and travelling to the heart.

Which part of the heart generates the largest force?

The left ventricle is thicker and more muscular than the right ventricle because it pumps blood at a higher pressure.

What are the symptoms of endocarditis?

Endocarditis should be considered in patients with vague or generalized constitutional symptoms such as fever, rigors, night sweats, anorexia, weight loss, or arthralgia. Cardiac signs.

What drugs are used for endocarditis?

In drug abusers, treatment for endocarditis should include cover for S. aureusand Gram-negative bacilli (eg, cloxacillin and pipercillin). In the treatment of rarer causes of endocarditis, Coxiellamay require doxycycline with cotrimoxazole or rifampicin.

What is the chapter 10 of the inflammatory process?

Chapter 10Infective endocarditis. Background. Endocarditis was first described by William Osler in 1885. It is an inflammatory process that affects the endocardium and may have an infective or noninfective (eg, systemic lupus erythematosus) origin.

How long does gentamicin last in endocarditis?

viridansor an enterococcal species. Treatment involves IV penicillin (2.4 g, 4 hourly) for up to 4 weeks, with gentamicin (1 mg/kg, 12 hourly) for 2 weeks.

Is endocarditis a general diagnosis?

Symptoms. Endocarditis is rarely an obvious diagnosis for a generalist. It may present with a wide variety of clinical signs, some subtle; the diagnosis may be difficult or the signs misleading, and there is a wide differential diagnosis to consider. However, there is a wealth of clinical signs to look for.

Is lupus erythematosus an infective disease?

It is an inflammatory process that affects the endocardium and may have an infective or noninfective (eg, systemic lupus erythematosus) origin. It is uncommon in the western world (22 cases per million), but more prevalent in developing countries.

Can Candida cause Q fever?

Candida, Aspergillus, Histoplasma, and Brucellainfections are rare, but are found, in particular, in IVDAs, alcoholics, and patients with prosthetic heart valves. Coxiella burnetii(the causative agent of Q fever) can also cause a subacute infection. Pathogenesis.

What is the most common cause of endocarditis?

Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of infective endocarditis in most parts of the world and is responsible for about 31% of cases. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of endocarditis in people who use intravenous drugs. Viridans streptococci and Enterococci are the second and third most common organisms responsible for infective endocarditis. Viridans streptococci are a common cause of infective endocarditis in South America. Other Streptococci are also a frequent cause. Infective endocarditis due to Streptococcus bovis occurs more commonly in Europe than in North America. HACEK group of bacteria are also rare causes of infective endocarditis in North America.

What is another form of endocarditis?

Infection setting. Another form of endocarditis is healthcare-associated endocarditis when the infecting organism is believed to be transmitted in a health care setting like hospital, dialysis unit or a residential nursing home.

What causes endocarditis in the left side of the heart?

In rheumatic heart disease, infection occurs on the aortic and the mitral valves on the left side of the heart. Other factors that increase the risk of developing infective endocarditis are low levels of white blood cells, immunodeficiency or immunosuppression, malignancy, diabetes mellitus, and excessive alcohol use.

How early can prosthetic valve endocarditis be diagnosed?

Prosthetic valve endocarditis can be early (< 60 days of valvular surgery), intermediate (60 days to 1 year) or late (> 1 year following valvular surgery). Early prosthetic valve endocarditis is usually due to intraoperative contamination or a postoperative bacterial contamination which is usually nosocomial in nature.

How long does infective endocarditis last?

Acute infective endocarditis refers to the presence of signs and symptoms of infective endocarditis that are present for days up to six weeks. If these signs and symptoms persist for more than six weeks ...

What causes endocarditis in prosthetic heart valves?

Late prosthetic valve endocarditis is usually due to community acquired microorganisms. Prosthetic valve endocarditis is commonly caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis as it is capable of growing as a biofilm on plastic surfaces. Cutibacterium acnes almost exclusively causes endocarditis on prosthetic heart valves.

What are the symptoms of endocarditis?

Signs and symptoms may include fever, small areas of bleeding into the skin, heart murmur, feeling tired, and low red blood cell count.

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Overview

Cause

Many microorganisms can cause infective endocarditis. These are generally isolated by blood culture, where the patient's blood is drawn and any growth is noted and identified. The term bacterial endocarditis (BE) commonly is used, reflecting the fact that most cases of IE are due to bacteria; however, infective endocarditis (IE) has become the preferred term.
Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of infective endocarditis in most parts of the world a…

Classification

Infective endocarditis is divided into the three categories of acute, subacute, and chronic based on the duration of symptoms. Acute infective endocarditis refers to the presence of signs and symptoms of infective endocarditis that are present for days up to six weeks. If these signs and symptoms persist for more than six weeks but less than three months, this is subacute infective endocarditis. Chronic infective endocarditis refers to the presence of such signs and symptoms …

Signs and symptoms

• Fever occurs in 97% of people; malaise and endurance fatigue in 90% of people.
• A new or changing heart murmur, weight loss, and coughing occurs in 35% of people.
• Vascular phenomena: septic embolism (a piece of infected debris or tissue breaking off and traveling through the bloodstream to a distant site) (causing thromboembolic problems such as a stroke or gangrene of the fingers), Janeway lesions (painless hemorrhagic cutaneous lesions on the palms and soles), bleeding in t…

Pathogenesis

Damaged valves and endocardium contribute to the development of infective endocarditis. Specifically, the damaged part of a heart valve forms a local blood clot, a condition known as non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE). The platelet and fibrin deposits that form as part of the blood clotting process allow bacteria to take hold and form vegetations. As previously mentioned, the body …

Diagnosis

In general, the Duke criteria should be fulfilled in order to establish the diagnosis of endocarditis. Although the Duke criteria are widely used, they have significant limitations. For example, the sensitivity of the Duke criteria for detecting infective endocarditis decreases when prosthetic heart valves are present.
As the Duke criteria rely heavily on the results of echocardiography, research has addressed wh…

Prevention

Not all people with heart disease require antibiotics to prevent infective endocarditis. Heart diseases have been classified into high, medium and low risk of developing IE. Those falling into high risk category require IE prophylaxis before endoscopies and urinary tract procedures. Diseases listed under high risk include:
• Prior endocarditis

Treatment

High-dose antibiotics are the cornerstone of treatment for infective endocarditis. These antibiotics are administered by the intravenous (IV) route to maximize diffusion of antibiotic molecules into vegetation(s) from the blood filling the chambers of the heart. This is necessary because neither the heart valves nor the vegetations adhering to them are supplied by blood vessels. Antibiotics ar…