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102 - Infective endocarditis: etiology and microbiological diagnosis

Autor(s): A. Camporese, M. Avolio (Estratto dall'articolo originale pubblicato su RIMEL-IJLAM vol. 6, n. 4, 2010)

Issue: RIMeL - IJLaM, Vol. 6, N. 3-S1, 2010 (MAF Servizi srl ed.)

Page(s): 102

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a peculiar and evolving disease, with changes in its epidemiological and microbiological profile. Despite major advances in both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, this disease still carries a poor prognosis and a high mortality. The epidemiological profile of IE has changed substantially over the last years, especially in industrialized nations. Once a disease affecting young adults with previously well-identified (mostly rheumatic) valve disease, IE is now affecting older patients who more often develop IE as the result of health care-associated procedures, either in patients with no previously known valve disease or in patients with prosthetic valves. Positive blood cultures remain the cornerstones of diagnosis and provide live bacteria for susceptibility testing. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allows rapid and reliable detection of fastidious and non-culturable agents in patients with IE and can be useful as an adjunct to traditional culture methods to facilitate diagnosis of IE, especially in cases where blood culture is negative.

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