Endocarditis

The MeSH definition states that endocarditis is often caused by microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and rickettsiae. The supplied reviews focus on infective endocarditis and identify a changing microbiology, with staphylococci now more common than streptococci in many settings. Other pathogens mentioned include Bartonella species, Streptococcus agalactiae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Coxiella burnetii, and Brucella.

The disease involves infection and inflammation of the endocardial surface, especially the heart valves. The literature emphasizes that infective endocarditis can lead to complications and valve damage, and that imaging and microbiologic diagnostics are central to defining the disease. The 2023 criteria also highlight positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose as part of the diagnostic approach, reflecting the inflammatory/infectious activity of lesions.

Healthcare-associated factors that predispose to infection are increasingly important in infective endocarditis. The reviews identify degenerative valvopathies and the presence of prosthetic heart valves as major predisposing risk factors. Native and prosthetic valve involvement is also emphasized in the literature.

Management is described at the level of antimicrobial therapy and complication management for infective endocarditis. The reviewed guidance also includes diagnostic criteria and imaging-based evaluation, with treatment decisions informed by microbiology and complications. Surgical and medical advances are noted, but the supplied material does not provide specific regimens.