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Infectious endocarditis
Definition:
Infectious endocarditis is an infection of the lining of the heart chambers and heart valves caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other infectious agents. Alternative Names:
Endocarditis - infectious
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Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Infectious endocarditis is an inflammation of the heart valves. It can affect the heart muscle (myocarditis) or the lining of the heart (pericarditis). Most people who develop infectious endocarditis have underlying heart disease. The infection may be bacteremia (bacteria in the blood), which is common during dental, upper respiratory, urologic, and lower gastrointestinal diagnostic and surgical procedures. The infection can cause growths on the heart valves, the lining of the heart, or the lining of the blood vessels. These growths may form clots that break off and travel to the brain, lungs, kidneys, or spleen.
Many bacteria can cause endocarditis, but an organism commonly found in the mouth, Streptococcus viridans, is responsible for approximately half of all bacterial endocarditis. Other common organisms include staphylococcus and enterococcus. Less common organisms include pseudomonas, serratia, candida, and many others.
Symptoms of endocarditis may develop slowly (subacute) or suddenly (acute). Fever is a hallmark of both. In the slower form, fever may be present on a daily basis for months before other symptoms appear. Other symptoms are nonspecific, such as fatigue, malaise (general discomfort), headache, and night sweats. As the illness progresses, small dark lines, called splinter hemorrhages, may appear under the fingernails.
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