VSD PA MAPCA
2006-10-02 13:22:27 · 5 answers · asked by Oyunaa S 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
Many types of organism can cause infective endocarditis. These are generally isolated by blood culture, where the patient's blood is removed, and any growth is noted and identified.
Alpha-haemolytic streptococci, that are present in the mouth will often be the organism isolated if a dental procedure caused the bacteraemia.
If the bacteraemia was introduced through the skin, such as contamination in surgery, during catheterisation, or in an IV drug user, Staphylococcus aureus is common.
A third important cause of endocarditis is Enterococci. These bacteria enter the bloodstream as a consequence of abnormalities in the gastrointestinal or urinary tracts. Enterococci are increasingly recognized as causes of nosocomial or hospital-acquired endocarditis. This contrasts with alpha-haemolytic streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus which are causes of community-acquired endocarditis.
Some organisms, when isolated, give valuable clues to the cause, as they tend to be specific.
Candida albicans, a yeast, is associated with IV drug users and the immunocompromised.
Pseudomonas species, which are very resilient organisms that thrive in water, may contaminate street drugs that have been contaminated with drinking water.
Streptococcus bovis, which is part of the natural flora of the bowel, tends to present when the patient has bowel cancer.
HACEK organisms are a group of bacteria that live on the dental gums, and are associated with IV drug users who contaminate their needles with saliva.
2006-10-02 13:24:19 · answer #1 · answered by {☻§¤♥¿ð΅ΨΩΘΦЖ۞♫∞☺} 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fungal endocarditis is very serious, and very unusual. I would do an echocardiogram on anyone with even suspected endocarditis, and if cultures show it to be fungal, then the patient should almost certainly be hospitalized and on IV antifungal medications. Also a transesophageal echocardiogram (which allows a better view of the valves) should be done to make sure that no surgery is necessary for treatment.
2006-10-02 13:45:00 · answer #2 · answered by The Doc 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Basically, endocarditis is an infection of the heart and yes, it can have serious consequences if not treated and sometimes, even with treatment.
2006-10-02 13:44:01 · answer #3 · answered by Tonjya 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sounds pretty serious
2006-10-02 13:24:35 · answer #4 · answered by yayaloyaya 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How bad do you want to stay healthy? Duh, any fungus is serious.
2006-10-02 13:25:36 · answer #5 · answered by Fuel632 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋