what is the pathogenesis of sub acute bacterial endocarditis?

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This is a cardiology question, not a respiratory disease question, but here goes. Bacterial endocarditis is an infection of the hearts inner lining or heart valves. It is much more common in people with underlying heart conditions, and rarely occurs in people with healthy hearts. It is often caused by streptococcal bacteria. It can cause fever, valvular regurgitation, ebolizations, and abcess formation. Doctors are moving away from classifying endocarditis as acute or sub-acute, but of the the distinguising features between the two is that in sub-acute endocarditis, the heart murmur is stable, and in acute endocarditis, the murmur may change.  (+ info)

what is bacterial endocarditis?

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i learned that i was born with this a couple of weeks ago. is it fatal??
Bacterial Endocarditis is often referred to as Infective Endocarditis now. It can be an infection of the inner lining of your heart or heart valves. The odds of something happening now as a result of you having had that as a baby make it more likely that you will get it again as an adult but if you are careful about the things that put you at risk for picking it up again (dental procedures are a big cause). If you have an underlying heart defect you are also more likely to pick it up again as well. It is fatal in about 20% of patients who get it.  (+ info)

Bacterial Endocarditis diagnosis caused by dental abscess/procedures - advice on continued treatment?

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Is rapid regrowth possible and I need further treatment?

I have had dental work from Jan - June 07. I was told about a draining abcess 5 months ago. I don't know how long infection was present. Have been sick on/off with food poisenting type symptons. I went to the Er and was treated and released. Blood culture returned positive for blood infection. 48 hours later hospital calls me to return. More blood cultures taken. Echocardiogram was taken and I was admitted with notes of mitro valve prolapse and possible Bacterial Endocarditis. Vancomyicin was given with reaction and stopped, then gentomycin was given. Lastly Nafcillin was given, but I also had a reaction. I was taken off IV. The hospital misplaced the echocardigram for 5 days. By the time the new blood cultures and IV are repeated then reads negative. After 8 days and a negative reading the insurance co boots me out. Priliminary yesterday says no vegitation. I am waiting for the final report. I still don't feel well.
Nurse Brandi. I don't want return to that particular PCP. I have had to emergency situations under his care. I have been researching PCP's all day. I am having a difficult time finding one who's schooling was in the US and english as a 1st language-which is important to me. I am checking, disciplinary, licensing board info, but I don't have a clue how to determine how good one is any advice?
Bacterial endocarditis is usually fatal without treatment. You are lucky you were correctly diagnosed, and you did not have to wait for autopsy. There were no vegitations present so you do not know if there is actual heart valve damage. The reason to investigate the mitral valve is that at that time they did not know of the infection. The infection is gone, and it will take some time for you to come back to full function. In the meantime you should have at min. a echo and determine is there is any heart valve damage or any other sequela.  (+ info)

Subacute Endocarditis Duration?

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How long can symptoms last before a doctor can clearly see this is the problem? I read that someone can have symptoms for a year or so before they find out they have it because of the difficulty with diagnosis. I had a blood culture done 3 years ago because my doctor suspected I may have it, but the culture was negative. I still get small red lines under my fingernails and feel like I have a slight fever in the evening, but my doctor said it is nothing to worry about. Basically, what I wondered is it possible to have subacute endo for this long or would I develop severe symptoms by now?
Hi Robbie.

Subacute endocarditis
This form of endocarditis most often is caused by one of the viridans group of streptococci (Streptococcus sanguis, mutans, mitis or milleri) that normally live in the mouth and throat. Streptococcus bovis or Streptococcus equinus also can cause subacute endocarditis, typically in patients who have some form of gastrointestinal cancer, usually colon cancer. Subacute endocarditis tends to involve heart valves that already are damaged in some way, and it usually is less likely to cause septic emboli than acute endocarditis. If untreated, subacute bacterial endocarditis can worsen for as long as one year before it is fatal.

PREVENTION
If you are at high risk of endocarditis because of a damaged heart valve or other medical problem, tell your doctor and dentist. To prevent endocarditis, your doctor and dentist may prescribe antibiotics before you have any medical or dental procedure in which bacteria have a chance of entering your blood. Antibiotics usually are given to people with artificial valves, people who had endocarditis in the past and people with other high-risk conditions. People with mitral valve prolapse and many milder conditions generally do not need antibiotics.

In general, antibiotics are given one to two hours before a high-risk procedure, and up to eight hours afterward. Before a dental procedure, an antiseptic mouth rinse also can be used, especially one containing chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine.

You also can help to prevent endocarditis by avoiding IV drug use.

TREATMENT
When endocarditis is caused by a bacterial infection, it usually is treated with two to six weeks of antibiotics, such as penicillins, cephalosporins, gentamicin (Garamycin, Gentamar, G-Mycitin) or vancomycin (Vancocin). The type of antibiotic and the length of therapy depend on the results of the blood cultures. In most cases, antibiotic treatment is given intravenously (through a vein) while you are hospitalized. However, certain highly motivated patients who have Streptococcus viridans endocarditis and stable heart function can be treated at home.

In patients with the following conditions, the infected heart valve must be replaced surgically.

• Damage to the aortic or mitral valve that is severe enough to cause backflow of blood through the valve (regurgitation) with heart failure
• Valve dysfunction and persistent infection after 7 to 10 days of appropriate antibiotic therapy
• Abnormal growth of organisms(vegetation) larger than 10 millimeters (seen on echocardiography) clinging to a heart valve
• Endocarditis caused by a fungus rather than bacteria – Fungal endocarditis often responds poorly to intravenous antifungal medications.

SYMPTOMS OF SUBACUTE ENDOCARDITIS

• Low-grade fever (less than 102.9 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Chills
• Night sweats
• Pain in muscles and joints
• A persistent tired feeling
• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss
• Small, tender nodules on the fingers or toes
• Tiny broken blood vessels on the whites of the eyes, the palate, inside the cheeks, on the chest, or on the fingers and toes

Take Care. Regards.  (+ info)

Bacterial?

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What exactly causes a bacterial infection down there? Can my man catch this from me?
possibly an overgrowth of yeast, vaginal secretions are out of whack, perfumed soaps, and yes your man can catch it. Refrain from sex until everything clears up.  (+ info)

He is suffering from a heart mumur accompanied by endocarditis. What is the likely way to contact endocarditis

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My friend is a drug addict and he goes to the doctor and is informed that he is suffering from a heart mumur accompanied by endocarditis. What is the most likely way he contacted endocarditis?
Thank you
He is an IV drug addict.
IV drugs user have a very good chance of getting endocardtis compared to other individuals in the population (mind you endocardtis is very uncommon). He must have acquires staphylococci, streptococci, gonococci or pneumococci infection to one of his heart valve. You did not mention about any heart problems that he might have had proir to aquiring the disease so infection by IV is the most likely cause. Just remind him to continue taking his antibiotics as long as his doctor tell him to do so. And no heroin or cocaine. Alcohol in moderation.

Tom P.
BSc (biochemistry), M.D.(neurosurgery)  (+ info)

why are IV drug users more susceptible to endocarditis condition relative to the genral population?

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Condition endocarditis, justify why IV drug users are more susceptible to this condition relative to the genral population?
From the vein the drug passes directly in the Endometrium, resulting in irritation and hence endocardititis, and also phlebitis.  (+ info)

Is there much of a link between flossing and/or using mouthwash and infective endocarditis?

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Flossing can induce a septicemia (albeit tempory), but does it increase the risk for acquiring infective endocarditis by commensual bacteria such as Streptococcus viridans? Would there be any difference in risk for using antiseptic mouthwash?
Firstly, it doesn't cause a septicaemia. This is where bacteria are actively multiplying within your bloodstream. What you mean is a transient bacteraemia.
Yes, brushing and flossing your teeth can potentially lead to infective endocarditis. But by having good dental health, your risk is almost insignificant. If you develop gingivitis or periodontitis, then your risk is higher. You have no choice but to brush and floss.
As for antibiotic mouthwashes, products like Listerine (essential oils) are useless. You could use a chlorhexidine mouthwash or gel for superior results. The mouthwash will tend to stain the outside of your teeth (unattractive), so the gel is preferable.  (+ info)

What causes a bacterial infection and can it keep you from concieving?

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My husband and I started TTC in August, and when I started bleeding, I assumed it was my period. However, I spotted for about 2 weeks, and for about 2 days of that, I was bleeding severely. I started thinking maybe I had a miscarriage and made an appointment with my gyno. When I went in, he did a pelvic exam and said I had a bacterial infection and gave me some antibiotics. He said the spotting and the heavy bleeding was probably due to the infection.

What could have caused the bacterial infection? And could that have been the reason I didn't concieve, even though we had sex when I was ovulating?
Many women get bacterial infections.

Our vaginas are full of bacteria that are helpful to us, and sometimes this balance goes awry.

I get frequent bacterial vaginosis, it is just something that I deal with when it happens.

It often takes longer than one month to have a baby.

NORMAL, health couples are told to expect it to take up to one full year.  (+ info)

What's the difference between bacterial pneumonia and a bacterial infection of the lungs?

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What's the difference between bacterial pneumonia and a bacterial infection of the lungs? I need to know asap, any help would be amazing.
if the effects are the same, not much. they will kill you if left untreated.  (+ info)

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