3. Definition of Bacterial Endocarditis
Bacterial endocarditis, a serious infection of the
endocardium of the heart,
particularly the heart valves,
is associated with a high
degree of illness and death.
It generally occurs in patients
with altered and abnormal
heart architecture, in
combination with exposure
to bacteria through trauma
and other potentially high-risk
activities involving transient bacteraemia.
4. DDiiffffeerreenntt ttyyppeess ooff BBaacctteerriiaall
EEnnddooccaarrddiittiiss
• Acute
– Toxic presentation
– Progressive valve destruction &
metastatic infection developing in
days to weeks
– Most commonly caused by S. aureus
• SSuubb aaccuuttee
– Mild toxicity
– Presentation over weeks to months
– Rarely leads to metastatic infection
– Most commonly S. viridans or enterococcus
