Endocarditis at the Millennium

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases Vol. 179; no. Supplement-2; pp. S360 - S365
• Main Authors: Hoesley, Craig J., Cobbs, C. Glenn
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL University Chicago Press 01-03-1999; University of Chicago Press; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Antimicrobials; Bacterial diseases; Bacterial endocarditis, myocarditis and pericarditis. Bacterial diseases of the aorta, limb vessels and lymphatic vessels; Biological and medical sciences; Blood; Disorders; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Endocarditis; Endocarditis, Bacterial - diagnosis; Endocarditis, Bacterial - etiology; Endocarditis, Bacterial - therapy; Heart Valve Diseases - complications; Heart Valve Diseases - surgery; Heart Valve Prosthesis - adverse effects; Heart valves; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Infections; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; Microorganisms; Prosthetic heart valves; Staphylococcus; Human; Pathogenesis; Cardiovascular disease; Review; Case history; Infection; Antibiotic; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Heart disease; Endocardial disease; Endocarditis; Bacteriosis; Bacteria; Diagnosis; Antibacterial agent
• ISSN: 0022-1899; 1537-6613
• DOI: 10.1086/513840

The members of the Interplanetary Society (Pus Club) have made significant contributions to the understanding of the pathogenesis of infective endocarditis (IE). Although the incidence of IE has essentially remained unchanged, the spectrum and characteristics of patients potentially affected by this disorder are expanding. Moreover, in addition to the typical microorganisms implicated in IE, there are increasing reports of new or atypical pathogens causing IE, including those that are resistant to standard antibiotic therapy. The infectious diseases community is challenged to continue to provide effective antimicrobial regimens for IE and to further develop diagnostic and surgical strategies to identify and treat patients with this disorder. New information is available regarding the demographics, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic options for the management of IE.