Infective endocarditis represents an acquired disease caused by various pathogenic agents, affecting the valvular or mural endocardium or the surface of septal defects, leading to abscess formation, valvular regurgitation or even rupture. The disease causes heart failure and is often lethal if left unaddressed.
Presentation
Presentation depends on whether the disease is acute or subacute. An acute infective endocarditis patient usually presents with high fever, chills and rapid onset of heart failure symptoms or peripheral embolic phenomena. Associated complaints include fatigability, myalgia, night sweats, headache, anorexia, weight loss, dulled sensorium, back pain, pleuritic pain, cough or dyspnea. Other findings like right upper quadrant pain or abdominal postprandial distress are not uncommon. The physician must inquire about the existence of known congenital heart defects, about recent dental, surgical or other invasive procedures or intravenous drug use. The history of the disease helps differentiate between an acute and a subacute endocarditis episode: a subacute patient will usually be diagnosed about 6 weeks after the pathological process has started, whereas an individual suffering from acute endocarditis will be obligated to present sooner by dramatic symptoms.
Peripheral embolism may manifest as stroke [1], hemiplegia, hematuria, unilateral blindness, myocardial or pulmonary infarction. If the disease goes undiagnosed for a longer period of time, the physician will notice Janeway lesions, petechiae, splinter hemorrhages, Roth spots and Osler nodes, caused by immune-mediated vasculitis. Right-sided endocarditis sometimes presents in a similar manner to pulmonary empyema. Mycotic aneurysms suggest Pseudomonas aeruginosa etiology.
Internal cardiac defibrillators associated endocarditis patients have a two-fold higher mortality rate than single-chamber pacemaker endocarditis individuals [2]. Their disease is usually caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci [3]. Also, these cases may report accompanying pericarditis and mediastinitis signs, almost always along with fever. Signs of congestive heart failure, such as distended jugular veins or changes in previously known murmurs result from mitral valve involvement, which occurs in in eighty percent of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis cases associated with dialysis catheters [4]. Additional findings may include splenomegaly, gallop or arrhythmia, pericardial or pleural rubs, rales, pallor, acute septic monoarticular arthritis or delirium.
Immune System
- Splenomegaly
This score includes clinical, epidemiological (male, fever, splenomegaly, clubbing, vascular disease and stroke) and biological criteria (Leucocytes >10,000/mm3, sedimentation rate (SR) > 50/mm or C reactive protein >10 mg/L and hemoglobin [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Additional findings may include splenomegaly, gallop or arrhythmia, pericardial or pleural rubs, rales, pallor, acute septic monoarticular arthritis or delirium. Echocardiography is usually the first imaging method applied. [symptoma.com]
Signs and symptoms of IE include petechiae, anorexia, high fever, heart failure, cardiac murmur, Osler's nodes, Janeway lesions, Roth Spots, and splenomegaly. [youtube.com]
High body temperature, sudden and variable cardiac murmur, splenomegaly, Osler nodules by immunocomplex vasculitis, Janeway lesions, Roth spots at funduscopy may be seen. [atif.sobiad.com]
Entire Body System
- Fever
Six-month mortality was higher in the Q fever PCR-positive group than in the Q fever PCR-negative group [38% (3/8) vs 0% (0/12), P = .049). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Another major criterion requiring redefinition regards Q-fever serology. In the original Duke criteria, a positive serology for Q fever was considered a minor microbiological criterion. [doi.org]
Fever was high-grade intermittent, not associated with rigors and chills and subsided with analgesics. There was a history of miscarriage, but no history of any heart disease, rheumatic fever, and intravenous drug use. [jpma.org.pk]
Patients with endocarditis due to Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) are likewise difficult to diagnose. They may not have fever. However, there is generally underlying valvular heart disease, and frequently patients are immunosuppressed. [the-hospitalist.org]
- Weight Loss
He consulted our hospital because of weight loss and fever. Computed tomography (CT) revealed renal infarction. Nine days after admission, CT showed hemorrhagic cerebral infarction in the right frontal lobe. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Associated complaints include fatigability, myalgia, night sweats, headache, anorexia, weight loss, dulled sensorium, back pain, pleuritic pain, cough or dyspnea. [symptoma.com]
The symptoms of chronic IE may be such things as fatigue, mild fever (99°–101°F), a moderately fast heart rate, weight loss, sweating, a low red blood cell count (anemia) and can take place over as much as a period of months. [heart.org]
Symptoms you might notice include fever, shortness of breath, fluid buildup in your arms or legs, tiny red spots on your skin, and weight loss. [medlineplus.gov]
[…] of appetite, weight loss, paleness, headache, or weakness Palpitations Fainting Trouble speaking Weakness in any extremity or face Spots on your fingernails, fingertips, whites of the eyes, or other parts of your skin Symptoms of a stroke such as trouble [saintlukeskc.org]
- Chills
Abstract A 72-year-old man with end-stage renal disease and who was on dialysis was admitted with fever and chills. Two years previously, he had been diagnosed with caseous calcification of the mitral annulus (CCMA). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Clinical features include constitutional symptoms (fatigue, fever /chills, malaise ) in combination with signs of pathological cardiac changes (e.g., new or changed heart murmur, heart failure signs) and possibly manifestations of subsequent damage to [amboss.com]
An acute infective endocarditis patient usually presents with high fever, chills and rapid onset of heart failure symptoms or peripheral embolic phenomena. [symptoma.com]
The symptoms of acute IE usually begin with fever (102°–104°F), chills, fast heart rate, fatigue, night sweats, aching joints and muscles, persistent cough or swelling in the feet, legs or abdomen. [heart.org]
- Anemia
The patient's laboratory results were low blood albumin and globulin, anemia, and leukopenia. A blood culture revealed Burkholderia cepacia that was resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents. A chest x-ray showed infiltrate on both lung fields. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
The symptoms of chronic IE may be such things as fatigue, mild fever (99°–101°F), a moderately fast heart rate, weight loss, sweating, a low red blood cell count (anemia) and can take place over as much as a period of months. [heart.org]
In 2 patients, the cause could not be determined, though it might have been multifactorial: severe aortic regurgitation, fever, anemia, and/or sepsis. One of the patients who suffered ACS of embolic origin also had a large periaortic abscess. [revespcardiol.org]
Interestingly, 8 patients with signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal pathology or anemia (7 of whom were adults) did not undergo gastrointestinal endoscopy. Three of these patients, all adults, had anemia only. [doi.org]
- Fatigue
The symptoms of acute IE usually begin with fever (102°–104°F), chills, fast heart rate, fatigue, night sweats, aching joints and muscles, persistent cough or swelling in the feet, legs or abdomen. [heart.org]
Abstract A 65-year-old Japanese man was admitted with a 4-month history of fatigue and exertional dyspnea. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a vegetation on the aortic valve and severe aortic regurgitation. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Acute bacterial endocarditis usually begins suddenly with a high fever, fast heart rate, fatigue, and rapid and extensive heart valve damage. [merckmanuals.com]
Respiratoric
- Cough
Cardiac involvement is very uncommon - only about 0.01-2% of all cases.4,5 In most cases, the cysts develop asymptomatically, but heart cysts could manifest with chest pain, dyspnea, cough, hemophtisis and can complicate with rupture. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Causes [ edit ] Physical trauma [ edit ] Coughing, holding breath, vomiting, crying - The most common cause of petechiae is through physical trauma such as a hard bout of coughing, holding breath, vomiting or crying, which can result in facial petechiae [en.wikipedia.org]
Associated complaints include fatigability, myalgia, night sweats, headache, anorexia, weight loss, dulled sensorium, back pain, pleuritic pain, cough or dyspnea. [symptoma.com]
The symptoms of acute IE usually begin with fever (102°–104°F), chills, fast heart rate, fatigue, night sweats, aching joints and muscles, persistent cough or swelling in the feet, legs or abdomen. [heart.org]
- Dyspnea
He was well, apart from episodes of dizziness and dyspnea after exercise during the previous 4 months. These episodes had started 1 week after the patient had undergone a dental treatment. Previous extensive investigations had been inconclusive. [nejm.org]
After 4 weeks of antibiotics, he presented with New York Heart Association class III dyspnea. Repeat TEE demonstrated severe MR. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
[…] drug users ; and concomitant HIV infection ;, immunosuppressed patients, ; and patients with central venous catheters Aortic valve regurgitation → early diastolic murmur ; loudest at the left sternal border Signs of progressive heart failure ( e.g., dyspnea [amboss.com]
- Rales
Additional findings may include splenomegaly, gallop or arrhythmia, pericardial or pleural rubs, rales, pallor, acute septic monoarticular arthritis or delirium. Echocardiography is usually the first imaging method applied. [symptoma.com]
The oxygen saturation was 96%, with no pulmonary rales, and blood pressure was 85/60 mmHg. We detected a diastolic rumble, a relatively loud first heart sound, a proto diastolic noise suggesting a “tumor plop”, and moderate hepatosplenomegaly. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Other signs include the following: Stiff neck Delirium Paralysis, hemiparesis, aphasia Conjunctival hemorrhage Pallor Gallops Rales Cardiac arrhythmia Pericardial rub Pleural friction rub Subacute infective endocarditis Approximately 3-15% of patients [emedicine.medscape.com]
Rales or crackles, heard initially in the lung bases, and when severe, throughout the lung fields suggest the development of pulmonary edema (fluid in the alveoli). [en.wikipedia.org]
- Hemoptysis
Septic pulmonary emboli may cause cough, pleuritic chest pain, and sometimes hemoptysis. A murmur of tricuspid regurgitation is typical. [merckmanuals.com]
Gastrointestinal
- Loss of Appetite
CASE REPORT A 74-year-old man with a history of infective endocarditis caused by Streptococcus gordonii (S. gordonii) presented to our emergency room with fever and loss of appetite, which had lasted for 5 days. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
[…] of appetite, weight loss, paleness, headache, or weakness Palpitations Fainting Trouble speaking Weakness in any extremity or face Spots on your fingernails, fingertips, whites of the eyes, or other parts of your skin Symptoms of a stroke such as trouble [saintlukeskc.org]
Other constitutional symptoms include chills, sweats, loss of appetite, and malaise [2]. Although a new or changed regurgitant murmur is the most common cardiac finding on physical examination, this may be absent in right-sided endocarditis. [journalofethics.ama-assn.org]
Other symptoms may include night sweats, chills, headache and severe loss of appetite resulting in weight loss. Heart murmurs are present in over 85% of individuals with infective endocarditis, and 60% have enlarged spleens. [rarediseases.org]
The majority of patients present with fever, often associated with systemic symptoms of chills, poor appetite and weight loss. Heart murmurs are found in up to 85% and new murmurs have been recently reported in 48% of patients. [patient.info]
Cardiovascular
- Heart Disease
Rheumatic heart disease was the commonest (30.9%) underlying cardiac lesion followed by mitral valve prolapse with mitral regurgitation (23.7%), degenerative valvular disease (23%), congenital heart disease (15.8%) and prosthetic valves (3.6%). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
People with underlying heart problems such as congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, rheumatic heart disease, or previous bouts of endocarditis. [heartandstroke.ca]
Prophylaxis is no longer recommended for forms of congenital heart disease not mentioned above including mitral valve prolapse. Prophylaxis is no longer recommended for rheumatic heart disease. [infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com]
(rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, prosthetic valves, previous IE) can cause damage to the endothelium Damage to endothelium produces a fibin and platelet sterile thrombus. [coreem.net]
Conditions predisposing to IE were common, notably underlying structural heart disease. [nzma.org.nz]
- Heart Murmur
With a stethoscope, a doctor can listen to your chest for the distinct sound of a new heart murmur or a change in the sound of an old heart murmur. Heart murmurs are caused by the sound of faulty heart valves and by certain defects in your heart. [texasheart.org]
These can include: Heart murmur Congestive heart failure Arrhythmia, which is an abnormality of the rhythm of the heart beat Damage to heart valves, which may manifest as a heart murmur, an abnormal sound made by the heart between beats An abscess, a [ada.com]
murmur development or change to a preexisting one Mitral valve regurgitation → holosystolic murmur, loudest at the heart 's apex, and radiates to the left axilla Tricuspid valve regurgitation → holosystolic ; murmur ; loudest at the left sternal border [amboss.com]
If you already have a heart murmur from an existing valve problem, the murmur may change or become more intense. A new or changing murmur is often what alerts a doctor to suspect infective endocarditis. [heartfoundation.org.nz]
At the same time, he complained of palpitation and a heart murmur was detected. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
Prophylaxis is no longer recommended for forms of congenital heart disease not mentioned above including mitral valve prolapse. Prophylaxis is no longer recommended for rheumatic heart disease. [infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com]
Correct answer response for cardiac conditions was 81.3% (highest failure: mitral valve prolapse [MVP] with regurgitation). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Another condition associated with IE is the mitral prolapse syndrome. In different series, the range of IE in those patients with mitral valve prolapse can go from 11 to 23% [106, 107]. [intechopen.com]
- Chest Pain
Three days after admission, the patient complained of worsening chest pain. The electrocardiogram showed significant anterior ST depression, and troponin I level rose to 5.3 ng/ml. [panafrican-med-journal.com]
Cardiac involvement is very uncommon - only about 0.01-2% of all cases.4,5 In most cases, the cysts develop asymptomatically, but heart cysts could manifest with chest pain, dyspnea, cough, hemophtisis and can complicate with rupture. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
When to call your healthcare provider Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following: Tiredness that persists for 2 to 3 days Decreased exercise tolerance Chest pain or shortness of breath Fever over 100.4 °F ( 38.0 °C) Sweats [saintlukeskc.org]
[…] antibiotic treatment for several weeks References: [14] [15] [6] [16] Clinical features Course of disease Constitutional symptoms Fever and chills (∼ 90% of cases), tachycardia General malaise, weakness, night sweats, weight loss Dyspnea ;, cough, pleuritic chest [amboss.com]
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 abnormal urine color fatigue cough shortness of breath sore throat sinus [healthline.com]
- Tachycardia
You should not be at increased risk of infective endocarditis if you: have a pacemaker or defibrillator; have an arrhythmia such as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT); or have acquired heart disease which has not damaged the heart valves, for example, [chfed.org.uk]
[…] glomerulonephritis ;, Osler nodes Therapeutic consequences Lack of valve vascularization requires antibiotic treatment for several weeks References: [14] [15] [6] [16] Clinical features Course of disease Constitutional symptoms Fever and chills (∼ 90% of cases), tachycardia [amboss.com]
It can cause lethal effects to the mother by producing tachycardia and cardiac failure. 8 In this case, bicuspid aortic valve remained asymptomatic before the pregnancy, but pregnancy-related physiologic changes aggravated the stress on the bicuspid aortic [jpma.org.pk]
Also, transmitral flow obstruction led to cardiorespiratory stop due to impossibility of maintaining cardiac output in terms of marked tachycardia and short diastole. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
His ECG shows sinus tachycardia with no significant abnormalities. A broad-spectrum antibiotic is administered, and he's admitted to the medical ICU for suspected sepsis. (See Close-up on abnormal lab values .) That evening, Mr. [nursingcenter.com]
Eyes
- Roth's Spots
The presence of white-centered hemorrhages (Roth spots) should prompt the consideration of possible infective endocarditis. A comparison of Panel A and Panel B (3 days apart) shows how quickly such spots can change. [nejm.org]
If the disease goes undiagnosed for a longer period of time, the physician will notice Janeway lesions, petechiae, splinter hemorrhages, Roth spots and Osler nodes, caused by immune-mediated vasculitis. [symptoma.com]
Splinter hemorrhages and petechia aren't specific to infective endocarditis, while Osler's nodes, Roth spots, and Janeway lesions are usually indicative of the disease. 8 * Splinter hemorrhages are long striations of blood under the nailbeds. 7 Figure [nursingcenter.com]
Immunological phenomena: glomerulonephritis, Osler's nodes, Roth's spots and rheumatoid factor. [patient.info]
spots – retinal hemorrhages with a pale centre Splenomegaly New neurological signs New murmur, e.g. aortic regurgitation and associated systemic features Left ventricular failure – basal crackles and effusions Emboli — major arteries, pulmonary, spleen [lifeinthefastlane.com]
- Conjunctival Petechiae
It may cause fever, heart murmurs, petechiae, anemia, embolic phenomena, and endocardial vegetations. Vegetations may result in valvular incompetence or obstruction, myocardial abscess, or mycotic aneurysm. [merckmanuals.com]
Skin
- Janeway Lesion
Osler's nodes are painful, purple nodular lesions, usually found on the tips of fingers and toes. Janeway lesions, in turn, are painless erythematous macules that usually affect palms and soles. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
They're caused by septic emboli with inflammatory reactions. 9 * Roth spots (bottom figure) are exudative, edematous hemorrhagic lesions of the retina. * Janeway lesions are small nonpainful lesions, typically red, found on the palms of the hands and [nursingcenter.com]
If the disease goes undiagnosed for a longer period of time, the physician will notice Janeway lesions, petechiae, splinter hemorrhages, Roth spots and Osler nodes, caused by immune-mediated vasculitis. [symptoma.com]
Diagnosis can be difficult because subacute infective endocarditis can develop gradually over many months, and because, in the modern era, few people present with classical symptoms of fever, heart murmur, bacteremia, Osler nodes or Janeway’s lesions. [ada.com]
[…] criteria Predisposition: predisposing heart condition or intravenous drug use Fever: T> 38.0° C (100.4° F) Vascular phenomena : major arterial emboli, septic pulmonary infarcts, mycotic aneurysm, intracranial hemorrhage, conjunctival hemorrhages, and Janeway [lifeinthefastlane.com]
- Petechiae
External links [ edit ] Look up petechia in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Petechiae . [en.wikipedia.org]
If the disease goes undiagnosed for a longer period of time, the physician will notice Janeway lesions, petechiae, splinter hemorrhages, Roth spots and Osler nodes, caused by immune-mediated vasculitis. [symptoma.com]
Splinter hemorrhages and petechia aren't specific to infective endocarditis, while Osler's nodes, Roth spots, and Janeway lesions are usually indicative of the disease. 8 * Splinter hemorrhages are long striations of blood under the nailbeds. 7 Figure [nursingcenter.com]
Signs and symptoms of IE include petechiae, anorexia, high fever, heart failure, cardiac murmur, Osler's nodes, Janeway lesions, Roth Spots, and splenomegaly. [youtube.com]
Petechiae differ from those due to � platelets in that they tend to occur on palms and soles rather than in dependent areas. Also tend to be larger and have irregular edges. [aic.cuhk.edu.hk]
- Night Sweats
If you have acute endocarditis, meaning the infection has happened recently, you may feel like you have the flu, with a fever, night sweats, muscle aches and pains, and decreased energy. [texasheart.org]
Associated complaints include fatigability, myalgia, night sweats, headache, anorexia, weight loss, dulled sensorium, back pain, pleuritic pain, cough or dyspnea. [symptoma.com]
The symptoms of acute IE usually begin with fever (102°–104°F), chills, fast heart rate, fatigue, night sweats, aching joints and muscles, persistent cough or swelling in the feet, legs or abdomen. [heart.org]
Common symptoms are: fever chills weakness fatigue aching joints and muscles night sweats shortness of breath paleness persistent cough swelling in the feet, legs or abdomen Less common symptoms include: unexplained weight loss blood in your urine a new [heartandstroke.ca]
- Splinter Hemorrhage
He was afebrile but had a pansystolic murmur and a solitary splinter hemorrhage on the right thumb. Echocardiography revealed moderate-to-severe mitral-valve regurgitation, with thickening and signs of vegetations. The ejection fraction was 65%. [nejm.org]
If the disease goes undiagnosed for a longer period of time, the physician will notice Janeway lesions, petechiae, splinter hemorrhages, Roth spots and Osler nodes, caused by immune-mediated vasculitis. [symptoma.com]
hemorrhages Petechiae (embolic or vasculitic) Clubbing: in long standing disease Eyes: Roth spots (boat shaped hemorrhages with pale centers, in retina) and conjunctival splinter hemorrhages Neurological: Confusion, hemiplegia and sensory dysfunction [pathologyoutlines.com]
Splinter hemorrhages and petechia aren't specific to infective endocarditis, while Osler's nodes, Roth spots, and Janeway lesions are usually indicative of the disease. 8 * Splinter hemorrhages are long striations of blood under the nailbeds. 7 Figure [nursingcenter.com]
Doctors may also look for small, dark lines under your fingernails that look like wood splinters (called splinter hemorrhages) or burst blood vessels in the retina of your eyes (called Roth’s spots). [texasheart.org]
- Eczema
Pyoderma form when the organism colonises, and subsequently invades (especially when occlusive dressings are used), exfoliative lesions, venous stasis ulcers or eczema. These have a characteristic moth-eaten appearance and erythematous border. [web.archive.org]
Musculoskeletal
- Arthralgia
A 64-year-old woman, without previous heart disease, presented with 6 weeks of fever, myalgias, and arthralgias. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
[…] treatment for several weeks References: [14] [15] [6] [16] Clinical features Course of disease Constitutional symptoms Fever and chills (∼ 90% of cases), tachycardia General malaise, weakness, night sweats, weight loss Dyspnea ;, cough, pleuritic chest pain Arthralgias [amboss.com]
Other symptoms are nonspecific and include malaise, myalgia, arthralgia, anorexia, night sweats and headaches. Splenomegaly can be found in 15-50% of patients with IE. A new or changing murmur indicates valvular involvement. [utmb.edu]
[…] subacute, chronic Newer classification system is based on causative organism Also classify based on native valve or prosthetic valve endocarditis Clinical features Vague constitutional symptoms such as fever, rigors, night sweats, anorexia, weight loss, arthralgia [pathologyoutlines.com]
- Myalgia
A 64-year-old woman, without previous heart disease, presented with 6 weeks of fever, myalgias, and arthralgias. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Associated complaints include fatigability, myalgia, night sweats, headache, anorexia, weight loss, dulled sensorium, back pain, pleuritic pain, cough or dyspnea. [symptoma.com]
[…] weeks References: [14] [15] [6] [16] Clinical features Course of disease Constitutional symptoms Fever and chills (∼ 90% of cases), tachycardia General malaise, weakness, night sweats, weight loss Dyspnea ;, cough, pleuritic chest pain Arthralgias, myalgias [amboss.com]
Other symptoms are nonspecific and include malaise, myalgia, arthralgia, anorexia, night sweats and headaches. Splenomegaly can be found in 15-50% of patients with IE. A new or changing murmur indicates valvular involvement. [utmb.edu]
General symptomatology usually is hyperpyretis (febrile in most cases, high fever during septic shock), anorexia, asthenia, myalgia. [f1000research.com]
- Back Pain
Associated complaints include fatigability, myalgia, night sweats, headache, anorexia, weight loss, dulled sensorium, back pain, pleuritic pain, cough or dyspnea. [symptoma.com]
pain Malaise and fatigue Weakness Headache Lack of appetite Weight loss Small, painful, red or purple bumps on the fingers and/or toes, called Osler nodes Very small, painless, dark spots on the palms of the hands and/or soles of the feet, called Janeway [ada.com]
It may present as an acute, rapidly progressive infection but also as a subacute or chronic disease, with nonspecific symptoms - eg, fatigue, low-grade fever, flu-like illness, polymyalgia-like symptoms, loss of appetite, back pain, pleuritic pain, abdominal [patient.info]
Complaints of low back pain, pain in the joints (arthralgia) or in one or more muscles (myalgia) are common. These symptoms usually appear early in the disease, occasionally as the only initial symptoms. [rarediseases.org]
Incidence of clinical features in infective endocarditis >75% Fever, heart murmur 50-75% Embolic phenomena, previous heart disease 25-50% Chills, weakness, splenomegaly < 25% Weight loss, anorexia, arthralgia, back pain, glomerulonephritis, clubbing Investigations [aic.cuhk.edu.hk]
- Low Back Pain
Complaints of low back pain, pain in the joints (arthralgia) or in one or more muscles (myalgia) are common. These symptoms usually appear early in the disease, occasionally as the only initial symptoms. [rarediseases.org]
Urogenital
- Hematuria
Peripheral embolism may manifest as stroke, hemiplegia, hematuria, unilateral blindness, myocardial or pulmonary infarction. [symptoma.com]
[…] hemorrhages with pale centers, in retina) and conjunctival splinter hemorrhages Neurological: Confusion, hemiplegia and sensory dysfunction due to emboli Subarachnoid hematoma due to rupture of mycotic aneurysm Renal: Infarction causes loin pain and hematuria [pathologyoutlines.com]
Renal Infarction causes loin pain and hematuria. Immune complex deposition may result in glomerulonephritis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
[…] palms and soles ; ( due to microemboli and microabscesses with neutrophilic capillary infiltration ) Osler nodes : painful nodules on pads of the fingers and toes Roth spots : retinal hemorrhages with pale centers Signs of acute renal injury, including hematuria [amboss.com]
Other supporting laboratory evidence includes anemia, leukocytosis with a left shift, positive rheumatoid factor, hematuria and elevated ESR/CRP. The finding of vegetations on echocardiography is confirmatory. [utmb.edu]
Neurologic
- Stroke
Copyright © 2018 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. KEYWORDS: Acute ischemic stroke; Streptococcus constellatus; aortic valve replacement; infective endocarditis [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
- Headache
PATIENT CONCERN: A 42-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of fever, abdominal pain, headache, and right limb weakness. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Unlike her usual headaches, the patient stated that her current headache is more severe and unrelieved with NSAIDs. She has taken 10 aspirin tablets per day in addition to ibuprofen and acetaminophen over the past 3 days. [zdoc.site]
Associated complaints include fatigability, myalgia, night sweats, headache, anorexia, weight loss, dulled sensorium, back pain, pleuritic pain, cough or dyspnea. [symptoma.com]
Tiredness that persists for 2 to 3 days Decreased exercise tolerance Chest pain or shortness of breath Fever over 100.4 °F ( 38.0 °C) Sweats Severe abdominal or flank pain Bloody urine Return of symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss, paleness, headache [saintlukeskc.org]
Find out more about the causes of endocarditis Symptoms of endocarditis The initial symptoms of endocarditis are similar to flu and include: a high temperature chills headache joint and muscle pain Without treatment, the infection damages the heart valves [nhs.uk]
- Confusion
[…] nontender macular papules on palms or soles Splinter hemorrhages Petechiae (embolic or vasculitic) Clubbing: in long standing disease Eyes: Roth spots (boat shaped hemorrhages with pale centers, in retina) and conjunctival splinter hemorrhages Neurological: Confusion [pathologyoutlines.com]
[…] as a result, the Gram stain characteristics are highly variable. 5,7-10 The organism's cell wall chemical composition of peptidoglycan is consistent with Gram-positive organisms. 10 These characteristics have contributed greatly to the classification confusion [journals.lww.com]
Other symptoms of acute and subacute bacterial endocarditis may include Chills Joint pain Paleness (pallor) Painful nodules under the skin Confusion Tiny reddish spots that resemble freckles may appear on the skin and in the whites of the eyes. [merckmanuals.com]
In cases of blood culture-positive endocarditis, results of valve cultures may cause unnecessary confusion if valve cultures generate discrepant (i.e., falsely positive) results. [jcm.asm.org]
- Altered Mental Status
Three weeks later, the patient was brought to the emergency department with altered mentals status. [zdoc.site]
Workup
Echocardiography is usually the first imaging method applied. Transthoracic and transesophageal can help in diagnosis. They are able to characterize the dimensions of the vegetations and their effect on the underlying structures, such as valvular regurgitation or rupture. Anterior myocardial abscesses are better observed with transthoracic echocardiography, while abscesses in other locations are visualized by transesophageal studies [5]. Embolization can be predicted to some extent, based on vegetation dimensions and echogenicity. Color Doppler echo can diagnose cusp perforation and valvular regurgitation apart and showcase intracardiac fistulas, especially when used in transesophageal views. Advanced harmonic imaging techniques add accuracy to these methods [6].
A thoracic radiograph showing pulmonary pyogenic abscesses suggest tricuspid endocarditis. Atrioventricular blocks and new interventricular conduction delays may be seen on the electrocardiogram and suggest a poor prognosis. Computer tomography is used to ascertain cerebral abscesses [7], but also to characterize vegetations and valvular anatomy [8].
Serum
- Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Increased
Established infections often cause a normocytic-normochromic anemia, elevated white blood cell count, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, increased immunoglobulin levels, and the presence of circulating immune complexes and rheumatoid factor, but [msdmanuals.com]
Microbiology
- Blood Culture Positive
Data from 20 patients with blood culture-negative IE and 20 with blood culture-positive IE were analyzed. Eight cases of blood culture-negative IE were PCR-positive for C burnetii (40%; 95% confidence interval, 19-64). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Diagnosis 5.1 Clinical features 5.2 Laboratory findings 5.3 Imaging techniques 5.3.1 Echocardiography 5.3.2 Multislice computed tomography 5.3.3 Magnetic resonance imaging 5.3.4 Nuclear imaging 5.4 Microbiological diagnosis 5.4.1 Blood culture–positive [escardio.org]
On the basis of these data, we agree with Fournier et al. that an antiphase I IgG antibody titer ≥1:800 or a single blood culture positive for C. burnetii should be a major criterion in the Duke schema. [doi.org]
In cases of blood culture-positive endocarditis, results of valve cultures may cause unnecessary confusion if valve cultures generate discrepant (i.e., falsely positive) results. [jcm.asm.org]
Echocardiography and blood culture were performed in all patients, of whom 55.2% were found to have large vegetations (≥10 mm) and the positive rate of blood culture was 60.3%. [journals.plos.org]
Treatment
Treatment of such strains is difficult and consultation with a specialist is recommended. [apps.who.int]
[…] and after completion of antimicrobial treatment. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Patients were included if they had to receive antibiotic prophylaxis prior to dental treatment according to the 1997 AHA protocol and did not require antibiotic prophylaxis prior to dental treatment according to the 2007 AHA guidelines. [web.archive.org]
Prognosis
MVE is a poorly studied entity, and there is little information regarding its main characteristics, prognosis, and the best management approach. [bjcardio.co.uk]
Abstract PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this review, we examine the central role of echocardiography in the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of infective endocarditis (IE). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Etiology
Given the lack of clear etiology between septic embolus versus prosthesis associated thromboembolism, we opted for a successful conservative approach. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
FIG 2 Diagnostic testing for identification of the microbiological etiology of infective endocarditis. [jcm.asm.org]
Epidemiology
Conclusions and Relevance The epidemiology and management of infective endocarditis are continually changing. [jamanetwork.com]
Conclusions and Relevance: The epidemiology and management of infective endocarditis are continually changing. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
The epidemiology of heart disease in children has changed over the past 3 to 4 decades. [pediatrics.aappublications.org]
[…] of IE >50 years ago; however, the relatively recent epidemiology of IE has changed in relation to the causative organisms, ‘at-risk-populations’ and the classification of the disease, most notably with the increased incidence of prosthetic valves and [heart.bmj.com]
Pathophysiology
Slightly higher male predominance (1.5:1 – 2:1) ( Moreillon 2010 ) In-hospital mortality of 14–22% and 1-year mortality of 20-40% ( Gomes 2017, ( Habib 2006 ) Before antibiotics and surgery it was almost universally fatal ( Aretz 2010, Osman 2013 ) Pathophysiology [coreem.net]
Management of specific situations 12.1 Prosthetic valve endocarditis 12.1.1 Definition and pathophysiology 12.1.2 Diagnosis 12.1.3 Prognosis and treatment 12.2 Infective endocarditis affecting cardiac implantable electronic devices 12.2.1 Introduction [escardio.org]
Published on Aug 19, 2016 Infective endocarditis and non-infective endocarditis lecture on the nursing management, pathophysiology, treatment, signs and symptoms. [youtube.com]
Osler had a particular interest in the pathophysiology of distant complications associated with endocarditis, including those involving the CNS: “The meningeal complications of endocarditis have not received much attention, considering the frequency with [medlink.com]
Prevention
"Prevention of infective endocarditis. Guidelines from the American Heart Association. [infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com]
The purpose of this statement is to update the recommendations by the American Heart Association (AHA) for the prevention of infective endocarditis that were last published in 1997. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
The following are points to remember about the timing of surgery among patients with IE: The main indications for early surgery in IE are heart failure, uncontrolled infection, and prevention of embolization. [acc.org]
Cost effectiveness of prophylaxis in dental practice to prevent infective endocarditis. Br Heart J 1993; 70 : 79–83. 42. Buckingham J K, Gould I M, Teruitt G. et al. Prevention of endocarditis: communication between doctors and dentists. [nature.com]
References
- Epaulard O, Roch N, Potton L, et al. Infective endocarditis-related stroke: diagnostic delay and prognostic factors. Scand J Infect Dis. 2009;41(8):558-62.
- Özcan C, Raunsø J, Lamberts M, et al. Infective endocarditis and risk of death after cardiac implantable electronic device implantation: a nationwide cohort study. Europace. 2017;19(6):1007-14.
- Ortiz-Bautista C, López J, García-Granja PE, et al. Right-sided infective endocarditis in cardiac device carriers: Clinical profile and prognosis. Med Clin (Barc). 2017 Jun 22. [Epub ahead of print]
- Janga KC, Sinha A, Greenberg S, et al. Nephrologists Hate the Dialysis Catheters: A Systemic Review of Dialysis Catheter Associated Infective Endocarditis. Case Rep Nephrol. 2017:9460671.
- Choussat R, Thomas D, Isnard R et al. Perivalvular abscesses associated with endocarditis; clinical features and prognostic factors of overall survival in a series of 233 cases. Perivalvular Abscesses French Multicentre Study. Eur Heart J. 1999;20(3):232-41.
- Casella F, Rana B, Casazza G, et al. The potential impact of contemporary transthoracic echocardiography on the management of patients with native valve endocarditis: a comparison with transesophageal echocardiography. Echocardiography. 2009; 26(8):900-6.
- Roe MT, Abramson MA, Li J, et al. Clinical information determines the impact of transesophageal echocardiography on the diagnosis of infective endocarditis by the duke criteria. Am Heart J. 2000;139(6):945-51.
- Feuchtner GM, Stolzmann P, Dichtl W, et al. Multislice computed tomography in infective endocarditis: comparison with transesophageal echocardiography and intraoperative findings. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2009;53(5):436-44.