Manifestations Of Infective Endocarditis Research Articles

Infective Endocarditis Presenting as Endogenous Endophthalmitis and Multiple Cerebral Infarcts

A 60-year-old housewife as admitted with fever, pain and redness in her right eye for 2 days. She had right eye redness with haziness of the cornea, white fibrinous material in the anterior chamber, and vitreous in the posterior segment. She was evaluated and found to have Endogenous Endophthalmitis (EE) with multiple cerebral infarcts due to methicillin-sensitive coagulase-negative Staphylococcus endocarditis. The patient received intravitreal injections of vancomycin and ceftazidime. She received cefazolin 2 g thrice daily intravenously. The plan of vitrectomy was suggested as per the advice from the ophthalmologist but the relatives opted for conservative management. The patient went into multiorgan failure with disseminated intravascular coagulation and despite all efforts, she succumbed to her illness. Our patient had two extracardiac manifestations of IE together. The presence of any of these manifestations should raise suspicion of infective endocarditis (IE). We report a case of native mitral valve methicillin-sensitive coagulase-negative Staphylococcus endocarditis presenting with extracardiac manifestations. Our case reminds readers to be aware of endocarditis when evaluating patients with extracardiac manifestations like EE.

Sex differences and outcomes in surgical infective endocarditis.

Cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with significant hospital mortality, and female sex may be associated with worse outcomes. However, the impact of sex on the presenting characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients operated on for acute infective endocarditis (IE) has not been adequately studied. The goal of our study was to analyse differences in management and outcome of IE between women and men who undergo surgery. Clinical data of 717 patients undergoing cardiac surgery for IE between December 2005 and December 2019 were prospectively collected. Sex-related postoperative outcomes including in-hospital mortality were recorded. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify potential sex-related determinant of in-hospital mortality. In all, 532 male patients (74.2%) and 185 female patients (25.8%) underwent surgery for IE. At baseline, women had more frequent mitral regurgitation with 63 patients (34.1%) than men with 135 patients (25.4%) (P = 0.002). Female sex was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (23.2% versus 17.3%, P = 0.049). However, multivariable analysis revealed age (P < 0.01), antibiotics < 7 days before surgery (P = 0.01) and staphylococcal IE (P < 0.01) but not female sex (P = 0.99) as independent determinants of hospital mortality. In this study of patients operated-on for IE, female sex was associated with more severe manifestations of IE and significantly higher in-hospital mortality. However, after multivariable analysis, initial presentation, but not sex, seemed to determine clinical outcomes.

Surgical Treatment of Active Endocarditis Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Onset.

Despite advanced diagnosis and treatment, infective endocarditis (IE) is a potentially life-threatening condition. The impact of COVID-19 on the diagnosis and outcome of the surgical treatment of IE is uncertain. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of surgically treated IE before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study retrospectively analyzed the data of 535 patients who underwent valve surgical procedures for IE between January 2010 and December 2022 in a single cardiac surgery center. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the date of their operation: before (n = 393) and after (n = 142) COVID-19 onset. In order to balance the groups, inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) calculated from the propensity score (PS) was applied. Weighted univariate logistic regressions were reported for outcomes; weights were derived from IPTW. Interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) according to Linden's method was used to evaluate the changes in the manifestation of IE after 11 March 2020. Patients from the post-COVID-19 cohort (after 11 March 2020) had a greater number of comorbidities such as diabetes (29.6% vs. 16.3% p = 0.001), hypertension (71.1% vs. 59.5% p = 0.015), and preoperative kidney injury requiring dialysis (9.2% vs. 2.5% p = 0.002), but the median additive and logistic EuroSCORE were not statistically different. In the post-COVID-19 group, we observed a greater prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus-related endocarditis (24.5% vs. 15.4% p = 0.026), a consequent reduction in Staphylococcus non aureus-related endocarditis (12.2% vs. 20.1% p = 0.048), and a decrease in aortic valve replacements (43.0% vs. 53.9%), while the number of mitral valve replacements and repair was greater (21.1% vs. 15.0% and 6.3% vs. 4.3%, respectively). No differences were found in the two groups concerning early death, death, or relapse at 1 year after surgery. Data obtained by multivariable analysis identified preoperative renal dysfunction requiring dialysis as the only common risk factor for early mortality via stratifying by time periods in analysis. The incidence of surgically treated IE significantly increases after the COVID-19 pandemic with a higher incidence of mitral valve involvement with respect to the aortic valve. Although a delay in surgical timing occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, data in terms of mortality and outcomes were largely unaffected.

Acute neurological symptoms as a debut of infective endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infl ammatory disease of the endocardium of the heart affecting heart valves (native or prosthetic) and, in the last few decades, also available intracardiac permanent devices or catheters. Despite technological progress and accumulated experience, this disease continues to be a huge challenge for doctors in terms of diagnosis, treatment and improvement of survival. The clinical picture is atypical and heterogeneous, with different clinical &amp;quot;masks&amp;quot; of other diseases &amp;ndash; infectious, oncological, hematological, rheumatological, neurological, etc. Embolic complications are often the fi rst manifestation of the disease and are most often cerebral. We present a clinical case of a 29-year-old woman with acute neurological symptoms as a fi rst manifestation of IE. This case refl ects the atypical clinical presentation of the disease, the importance of new imaging modalities for the precise diagnosis of neurological complications, and the decision on the timing of operative intervention when indicated. The question of IE prophylaxis in moderate-risk patients, such as those with mitral valve prolapse and bicuspid aortic valve, remains open.

Prevalence of neurological complications in infective endocarditis

IntroductionNeurological complications are the most frequent type of extracardiac complications of infective endocarditis (IE), and can be the initial manifestation. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of neurological complications in patients with IE and to evaluate whether initial presentation with neurological symptoms causes a diagnostic delay. Material and methodsWe conducted a retrospective observational study of patients with IE admitted to a tertiary hospital between 2003 and 2020. ResultsThe study included 222 patients with IE (67% men; mean [SD] age, 66.4 [14.2] years). Neurological complications occurred in 21.2% of patients, with ischaemic stroke (74.5%) and intracerebral haemorrhage (23.4%) being the most frequent. No differences in diagnostic delay were found between the group of patients in whom the disease manifested with neurological complications and the rest of the patients (4.4 vs 4.5; P = .76). ConclusionsA total of 21.2% of patients with IE presented neurological complications, with ischaemic stroke being the most frequent. Neurological symptoms as the initial manifestation of IE did not lead to a delay in diagnosis.

Unique Clinical Manifestation of Infective Endocarditis in Children: A Case Series

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) was a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Infective endocarditis could occur in all ages with higher in children below 1-year-old, including neonates. Various clinical manifestations of IE in children make it difficult to make a prompt diagnosis and appropriate management. Finding in echocardiography could help clinicians determine the diagnosis of IE. Systemic embolization could cause many complications that may present as chief complaint underlying patient hospitalization. CASE PRESENTATION: We present case series of diverse manifestation of IE in children in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Two cases had a history of structural heart disease, while one case with no history of any structural heart disease before. CONCLUSION: Wide range of symptoms that could occur in children with IE, made it challenging to make a proper diagnosis.

Expanding utility of cardiac computed tomography in infective endocarditis: A contemporary review.

There is increasing evidence on the utility of cardiac computed tomography (CCT) in infective endocarditis (IE) to investigate the valvular pathology, the extra-cardiac manifestations of IE and pre-operative planning. CCT can assist in the diagnosis of perivalvular complications, such as pseudoaneurysms and abscesses, and can help identify embolic events to the lungs or systemic vasculature. CCT has also been shown to be beneficial in the pre-operative planning of patients by delineating the coronary artery anatomy and the major cardiovascular structures in relation to the sternum. Finally, hybrid nuclear/computed tomography techniques have been shown to increase the diagnostic accuracy in prosthetic valve endocarditis. This manuscript aims to provide a contemporary update of the existing evidence base for the use of CCT in IE.

Impact of the 2009 ESC Guideline Change on Surgically Treated Infective Endocarditis

BackgroundIn 2009, updated European Society of Cardiology guidelines on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infective endocarditis (IE) were released and restricted the use of antibiotic prophylaxis to high-risk patients only. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the restrictive antibiotic regimen on the incidence and manifestations of surgically treated IE before and after the guideline change. MethodsThis study retrospectively analyzed data of 4917 patients who underwent valve surgical procedures for IE between 1994 and 2018 in 6 German cardiac surgery centers. Potential risk factors for 30-day mortality were assessed using logistic regression. Interrupted time series regression was used to evaluate the effect of the guideline change on the manifestation of IE. ResultsA total of 2014 patients (41%) underwent surgical procedures before the guideline change, and 2903 patients (59%) underwent surgical procedures after the change. After 2009, patients were older (67.0 years [interquartile range, 56.0-74.0 years] vs 64.0 years [interquartile range, 52.0-71.0 years]; P < .001), and they presented with more comorbidities, such as hypertension (56.9% vs 41.7%; P < .001), diabetes (27.4% vs 24.4%; P = .020), peripheral artery disease (8.5% vs 6.5%; P = .011), and preoperative acute kidney injury (42.8% vs 31.9%; P < .001). Patients had worse clinical outcomes with respect to 30-day mortality (18.1% vs 14.3%; P = .001) and 1-year mortality (37.1% vs 29.1%; P < .001). An increase in Streptococcus-related IE (P = .002) and an increase in mitral valve IE (P = .035) were observed after the guideline change. ConclusionsSince 2009, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of mitral valve IE and Streptococcus-related IE. Patients undergoing surgical procedures for IE present with more comorbidities, which contribute to high mortality rates.

Prevalencia de las complicaciones neurológicas en la endocarditis infecciosa

IntroductionNeurological complications are the most frequent type of extracardiac complications of infective endocarditis (IE), and can be the initial manifestation. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of neurological complications in patients with IE and to evaluate whether initial presentation with neurological symptoms causes a diagnostic delay. Material and methodsWe conducted a retrospective observational study of patients with IE admitted to a tertiary hospital between 2003 and 2020. ResultsThe study included 222 patients with IE (67% men; mean [SD] age, 66.4 [14.2] years). Neurological complications occurred in 21.2% of patients, with ischaemic stroke (74.5%) and intracerebral haemorrhage (23.4%) being the most frequent. No differences in diagnostic delay were found between the group of patients in whom the disease manifested with neurological complications and the rest of the patients (4.4 vs 4.5; p = .76). ConclusionsA total of 21.2% of patients with IE presented neurological complications, with ischaemic stroke being the most frequent. Neurological symptoms as the initial manifestation of IE did not lead to a delay in diagnosis.

Infektivni endokarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) was first described more than 350 years ago. It is a disease of the endocardial surface of the heart. Infection typically involves the cardiac valves (native or prosthetic) or an indwelling cardiac device. The cardiac manifestations could include valvular vegetation, abscess, periannular extension of infection. The clinical manifestations of IE are protean and can involve all organic system. Early clinical suspicion and rapid diagnosis are crucial for adequate treatment and reduction of complications and mortality. Integrating clinical results, imaging, and biomarkers are traditionally applied in suspected IE modified Duke criteria. New imaging technologies, such as multi-slice computed tomography, photon-emission computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, might add value to conventional echocardiography in diagnosis and management of IE. Complications from IE are common, and include congestive heart failure, embolism, septic shock, invasive infection, prosthetic valve dehiscence, heart block, and mycotic aneurysm. Intravenous antibiotics are first-line therapy with cardiac surgery being reserved for certain complications of IE and/or for clinical situations in which there is a high risk of complications. Longstanding controversies such as the timing of surgery or the role of antibiotic prophylaxis have not been resolved.

An unusual case report of mitral valve apparatus sparing left atrial appendage vegetation presenting as endogenous endophthalmitis

BackgroundOcular manifestations of infective endocarditis are nonspecific and rare. Endophthalmitis, retinal artery occlusion, Roth spots and vitreal and retinal infiltrations can all be seen with infective endocarditis. Also, infective endocarditis involving the left atrial appendage with no involvement of the mitral valve apparatus is a rarity.Case presentationHere we report a case of infective endocarditis of the heart involving the left atrial appendage presenting with features of endogenous endophthalmitis which ultimately progressed to phthisis bulbi with subtle cardiac symptoms in a previous healthy young adult.ConclusionInfective endocarditis involving the left chambers of the heart carries an inherent high risk of systemic embolization. Panophthalmitis which is considered to be the most severe form of endogenous endophthalmitis is a rare presenting feature. Although a definitive treatment algorithm is lacking, early surgery and parenteral antibiotics along with local antibiotic injections could help to save the vision.

Isolating Crucial Steps in Induction of Infective Endocarditis With Preclinical Modeling of Host Pathogen Interaction.

Animal models of Staphylococcus aureus infective endocarditis (IE), especially in rodents, are commonly used to investigate the underlying pathogenesis, disease progression, potential diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic treatment. All these models are based on surgical interventions, and imply valve trauma by placing a polyurethane catheter at the aortic root. While the influence of endothelial damage and inflammation on the induction of IE has been studied intensively, the role of the catheter, as permanent source of bacteremia, and the interplay with bacterial virulence factors during the formation of IE is poorly understood. In our study, we aimed at identifying which set of preconditions is required for induction and formation of IE: (1) tissue injury, (2) permanent presence of bacteria, and (3) presence of the full bacterial repertoire of adhesion proteins. We investigated the manifestation of the disease in different modifications of the animal model, considering different degrees of endothelial damage and the presence or absence of the catheter. In four infection models the induction of IE was assessed by using two bacterial strains with different expression patterns of virulence factors – S. aureus 6850 and Newman. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging showed conspicuous morphological structures on the aortic valves, when an endothelial damage and a continuous bacterial source were present simultaneously. Cellular and inflammatory pathophysiology were characterized additionally by histology, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, and bacterial counts, revealing strain-specific pathogenesis and manifestation of IE, crucially influenced by bacterial adherence and toxicity. The severity of IE was dependent on the degree of endothelial irritation. However, even severe endothelial damage in the absence of a permanent bacterial source resulted in reduced valve infection. The spread of bacteria to other organs was also dependent on the pathogenic profile of the infectious agent.

Arthritis as a manifestation of infective endocarditis

Introduction. Diagnosis of infective endocarditis is a challenging task for clinicians. The issue of early infective endocarditis detection is topical, since the mortality rate of this pathological condition is high; also, along with the classic symptoms of the disease, its atypical manifestations, so-called "masks" of infective endocarditis, often occur. Objectives. The purpose of the work is to investigate one of infective endocarditis manifestations in the form of monoarthritis on the clinical case basis. Materials and methods. The medical history, the laboratory and instrumental findings, Guidelines for the management of infective endocarditis 2015; Infective Endocarditis in Adults: Diagnosis, Antimicrobial Therapy, and Management of Complications, AHA 2015 (including update 2016). Results. The patient, born in 1952, complains of the right foot pain, fever with chills, general weakness. Considers herself ill for 3 weeks. In connection with the right foot pain intensification, the patient was taken to a multidisciplinary hospital by the ambulance team and hospitalized to the therapeutic department. The anamnesis vitae is notable for her undergoing a procedure for curettage of the uterine cavity for an endometrial polyp half a year before the admission. The main diagnosis: Active mitral valve endocarditis due to Streptococcus haemolyticus. Mitral valve regurgitation stage III. Chronic coronary syndrome. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (EF 68 %). NYHA class II. Concomitant diagnosis: Mild anemia. Reactive arthritis. Deforming osteoarthrosis of the ankle joint. The treatment included: meronem 1 g 3 times daily intravenously (IV) and linezolidine 600 mg 2 times a day per os during 4 weeks; detoxification, cardiotropic, antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy; proton pump inhibitors, diuretics, antifungal drugs. Conclusion. Diagnosis of infective endocarditis is very challenging despite the presence of the specially developed diagnostic criteria. Given the polymorphic clinical manifestations of the disease and multiple organ damage, clinicians should be wary of the presence of infective endocarditis in patients with corresponding risk factors.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with right-sided endocarditis undergoing cardiac surgery.

There has been an increasing incidence of right-sided infective endocarditis (RSIE) due to the global rise of intravenous drug use (IVDU) and an increasing number of implantable cardiac electronic devices and central venous catheters. Our aim was to investigate differences in the clinical presentation, microbiological findings and prognosis of patients undergoing surgery for RSIE compared to left-sided infective endocarditis (LSIE). Relevant clinical data of all 432 consecutive patients undergoing valve surgery for infective endocarditis (IE) at our institution between January 2009 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Acquired data included patients' demographic and preoperative comorbidities, manifestation of IE according to the recently modified Duke Criteria, perioperative data and relevant clinical outcomes. A total of 403 patients (93.3%) underwent surgery for LSIE and twenty-nine patients (6.7%) for RSIE. Eleven patients with RSIE (37.9%) showed a concomitant left-sided infection. Compared to LSIE, RSIE patients were significantly younger [47.5 (40.4-69.3) vs. 65.1 (53.7-74.6); P=0.008] and presented with less comorbidities such as hypertension (41.4% vs. 65.3%; P=0.010) and coronary artery disease (6.9% vs. 29.0%; P=0.010). Rates of IVDU (34.5% vs. 4.5%; P<0.001), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (10.3% vs. 1.7%; P=0.023) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (24.1% vs. 5.2%; P=0.001) were greater in RSIE. The proportion of Staphylococcus aureus IE was significantly higher in RSIE compared to LSIE (37.9% vs. 21.1%; P=0.035). 30-day mortality was 6.9% after surgery for RSIE compared to 14.6% after operation for LSIE (P=0.372). Patients undergoing surgery for RSIE compared to LSIE presented with a higher rate of pulmonary septic emboli, more Staphylococcus aureus infections and larger vegetations. Larger multicenter prospective trials are needed to provide more reliable data on the clinical profile of these patients, in order to determine optimal surgical management.

Clinical Characteristics of Infective Endocarditis in Children.

Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge associated with high morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the microbial profile and clinical manifestation of IE in children. A retrospective study examining pediatric IE cases treated between 2000 and 2017 at the Department of Pediatric Cardiology, KU Leuven, was conducted. Clinical presentation, treatment, complications, outcome of IE, underlying microorganisms and congenital heart defects were reviewed. Fifty-three patients were diagnosed with IE. Overall, 19 patients (36%) required cardiac surgery. Seven patients (13%) died. Eighty-seven percent of patients had an underlying congenital cardiac defect. Eighteen (34%) children presented with prosthetic graft IE. A causative organism was found in 49 (92%) cases: viridans group streptococci were identified in 17 (32%), Staphylococcus aureus in 13 (25%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci in 11 (20%) children. Community-acquired (CA) IE increased significantly from 8 (33%) cases in 2000-2007 to 20 (74%) cases in 2008-2017 (P < 0.01). Even with viridans streptococci being significantly more prevalent in the CA group (P < 0.01), we did not observe an increase of streptococcal IE from 2008 to 2017. Seventeen (32%) patients presented with hospital-acquired IE during the first year of life with 14 (82%) children after surgery and a prevalence of coagulase-negative staphylococci (53%). The incidence of pediatric IE was similar over the investigated time period with a shift toward CA IE. Streptococci and staphylococci accounted for the majority of cases in both periods. Awareness of IE and its prevention is crucial in patients after implantation of prosthetic grafts.

ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Associated With Infective Endocarditis

ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as a complication of infective endocarditis (IE) is a rarely reported entity. No clear guidelines exist with regards to the management of this medical emergency. We sought to systematically review the clinical presentation and management of this condition. We searched relevant articles on STEMI associated with IE and extracted data on demographic variables, key clinical characteristics upon presentation, treatment strategies, and clinical outcomes. We identified 100 patients from 95 articles. The mean age at presentation was 53 ± 17 years with male preponderance (n = 63, 63%, p = 0.01). Most patients (63 of 100, 63%) presented with STEMI as their first manifestation of IE, with others occurring at 15 ± 17 days after diagnosis of IE. Findings that suggested possible septic emboli were not consistently present, including history of prosthetic valve placement (15%), presence of other embolic disease (27%), fever (42%) increased leukocyte count (80%), and presence of murmur (88%). Atherosclerotic disease was absent in 95% on cardiac catheterization. Eleven patients receiving tissue plasminogen activator fared poorly, with 9 major bleeds; balloon angioplasty was successful in 56% (9 of 16 cases), aspiration thombectomy in 68% (21 of 31 cases), and coronary stenting in 81% (14 of 16 cases). The 30-day mortality was 43%. In conclusion, patients with STEMI in the face of recent IE, new precordial murmur, fever, increased leukocyte count or other embolic events, septic emboli should be considered as a cause for STEMI. Best practices for management are not known, but thrombolytics appear to carry significant bleeding and embolic risks.

Severity of Presentation, Not Sex, Increases Risk of Surgery for Infective Endocarditis

Cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with substantial short- and long-term mortality, and female sex seems to be associated with even worse outcomes. The aim of our study was to analyze the impact of sex on 30-day and long-term mortality and to identify sex-related risk factors in IE patients requiring cardiac surgery. Relevant clinical data of all consecutive 305 patients undergoing cardiac surgery for IE between 2009 and 2016 were extracted from our institutional database and retrospectively analyzed. Infective endocarditis was defined according to the recent modified Duke criteria and surgery indicated in compliance with current European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Sex-related postoperative outcomes including 30-day and 1-year mortality were recorded. Univariate and multivariable analysis was performed to identify potential sex-dependent risk factors. In all, 229 male patients (75.1%) and 76 female patients (24.9%) underwent surgery for IE. Female patients showed significantly more mitral valve infection (52.6% versus 33.6%, p= 0.003), and Staphylococcus aureus as causative microorganisms was diagnosed in 44.7% of female patients compared with 24.5% of male patients (p= 0.001). Female sex was associated with a higher 30-day mortality (18.4% versus 8.3%, p= 0.014) and 1-year mortality (46.1% versus 27.1%, p= 0.002). Multivariable analysis revealed not female sex, but European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II score, reexploration for bleeding, and postoperative acute kidney injury as independent risk factors for 30-day mortality and preoperative dialysis for 1-year mortality, respectively. In this study, female sex was associated with more severe manifestations of IE and significantly higher 30-day and 1-year mortality. After multivariable analysis, not female sex, but the underlying comorbidities seem to determine clinical outcomes.

Schistosoma mansoni and endocarditis: from egg to free DNA detection in Egyptian patients and infected BALB/c mice.

With the growing incidence of closed schistosomiasis and uncommon presentations, there is a risk of the infection rate being underestimated. A study in Japan reported an unexplained case of endocarditis that was finally diagnosed as a complex Schistosoma japonicum infection; in the absence of advanced techniques, the diagnosis was delayed. We therefore set out to explore the incidence of Schistosoma mansoni in endocarditis patients coming from areas of Egypt where S. mansoni is endemic. We also investigated histopathological changes in the cardiac valves and the presence of cell-free parasite DNA (CFPD) in cardiac tissues of laboratory mice infected with S. mansoni. The study included 186 patients with the manifestations of infective endocarditis. Eggs were detected in the stool samples of 5.91% of patients. Seropositivity was reported in 23.66% of patients and antigen was detected in the urine samples of 10.21%. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), CFPD was detected in the blood of 6.98% of the endocarditis patients and 95% of the infected mice, while the cardiac samples of 45% of the mice tested positive for CFPD (means ± SD = 1390.2 ± 283.65, 2158.72 ± 1103.1 and 5.71 ± 2.91, respectively). Histopathological examination revealed abnormal collagen deposition, inflammatory cells and haemorrhagic pigmentation in the heart sections. Despite the low incidence of S. mansoni infection in the studied cohort, the presence of CFPD in the cardiac tissue of infected mice makes it necessary to: (1) investigate the hazards of CFPD deposition in endothelium-rich organs; and (2) test the potential of CFPD to trigger tissue inflammation, abnormal proliferation or genome integration.

Single center study on clinical features of children with infective endocarditis during the past 10 years

Objective To investigate the clinical features, pathogenic distribution of children with infective endocarditis(IE)during the past 10 years. Methods Medical records of 30 children with IE admitted to Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from October 2006 to October 2016 were retrospectively analyzed, including the clinical data and pathogenic characteristics. Results Among the 30 cases of IE, there were 18 males and 12 females, age ranged from 2 months to 13 years old.Fever was found as initial symptoms in 21 cases(70.0%), respiratory symptoms in 4 cases(13.3%), neurological symptoms in 4 cases(13.3%), edema in 2 cases(6.7%), murmur in 1 case, precordial discomfort in 1 case, and peripheral blood cell reduction in 1 case.The most common underlying factor was congenital heart disease(17 cases, 56.7%). Surgery was performed in 6 children due to congenital heart disease before endocarditis.Vegetations were detected on echocardiography in all cases(100%). Blood cultures were positive in 50.0%, Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism, accounting for 6 cases (40.0%). Other notable pathogens included Streptococcus pneumoniae(4 cases, 26.7%), Enterococcus faecalis(2 cases, 13.3%), Streptococcus suis(1 case), Streptococcus anginosus(1 case) and Staphylococcus epidermidis(1 case). C-reactive protein was raised in 25 cases(83.3%)at the time of admission.C-reactive protein was higher than 100 mg/L in 8 cases. Conclusion Early clinical manifestations of IE are atypical.Fever is the most common symptom.Congenital heart disease is the major risk factor of IE, Gram-positive cocci is the most common organism.Antibiotic treatment is not effective, then surgical treatment may be considered. Key words: Infective endocarditis; Children; Pathogens

An uncommon manifestation of Streptococcus gallolyticus infective endocarditis with cerebral septic emboli

Infective endocarditis (IE) can often present with neurological manifestations, due to embolization from valvular vegetation, but the presentation is often variable and unpredictable. Septic emboli to both occipital lobes supplied by the posterior cerebral arteries, resulting in visual disturbances are also an uncommon presentation of IE reported in the literature. While S. gallolyticus is a classical cause of IE, it is less common and usually occurs in a less suspecting group of patients with no predisposing cardiac conditions. We report the case of a 48-year-old man, who presented with predominant complaints of blurring of vision and temporal headache, without any other infective symptoms. The procalcitonin level was also normal even in the setting of bacteremia with septic embolism. The initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multifocal enhancing lesions in cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, and brainstem, with leptomeningeal enhancement. Transesophageal echocardiography and blood cultures subsequently confirmed diagnosis of S. gallolyticus IE of the mitral valve. The patient was treated with antibiotics upon diagnosis of IE. However, he developed intracranial hemorrhage secondary to mycotic aneurysms, and partial seizures. He eventually succumbed to the intracranial hemorrhage. This case serves to highlight that neurological manifestations can precede symptoms or signs of IE and the presentation are often variable. A high degree of clinical suspicion is needed to suspect neurological manifestations of IE, especially in patients without risk factors.