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Many types of organism can cause infective endocarditis. These are generally isolated by blood culture, where the patient's blood is sampled under sterile conditions, and any growth is noted and identified. It is therefore important to draw blood cultures before initiating antibiotic therapy. 70% of cases of endocarditis are due to the following three pathogens; Streptococcus viridans, Staphylococci and Enterococcus.
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.
↑Baddour, LM.; Wilson, WR.; Bayer, AS.; Fowler, VG.; Bolger, AF.; Levison, ME.; Ferrieri, P.; Gerber, MA.; Tani, LY. (2005). "Infective endocarditis: diagnosis, antimicrobial therapy, and management of complications: a statement for healthcare professionals from the Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis, and Kawasaki Disease, Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young, and the Councils on Clinical Cardiology, Stroke, and Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia, American Heart Association: endorsed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America". Circulation. 111 (23): e394–434. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.165564. PMID15956145. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)