Infectious cardiology Flashcards
The consequences of Infectious Endocarditis depend on several factors:
- virulence of the infective agent
- site of infection
- degree of valvular destruction
- influence of vegetation on valvular function
- production of exo- or endotoxins
- interaction with the immune system with the formation of immunocomplexes
- development of thromboembolism and metastatic infections.
what bacterial features determine the degree of damage these can cause to a valve during infectious endocarditis
- express special receptors: MSCRAMMS: microbial surface components recognising adhesive matrix molecules.
- contain fibronectin-binding proteins and can trigger active internalization by host cells (e.g. S aureus)
- trigger tissue factor production platelet aggregation
- have the ability to internalise within the endothelial cells (staph aurelius/Bartonella) or within red blood cells (Bartonella - without leading to haemolysis, which shields detection from the immune system).
- Many bacteria are resistant to the bactericidal proteins released from white blood cells.
Gram-negative bacteremia cause _________ manifestation
Gram-positive _________ chronic condition.
peracute or acute clinical
bacteremia or subacute or
What secondary diseases may be seen in infectious endocarditis
Deposition of immunocomplexes in different organs may cause glomerulonephritis, myositis, or polyarthritis
where do infectious endocarditis lesions originate on the valve
Vegetations develop on the surface of the valve facing the blood flow – i.e. the ventricular surface of the aortic valve and the atrial surface of the mitral valve
what gross pathological changes maybe seen on endocarditis valves on necropsy
Affected leaflets appear grossly deformed and may be haemorrhagic, ulcerated or perforated. Initially may be small and finely granular in appearance, but may become large and polypoid, demonstrating marked variability and distortion, oedema and hyperaemia of adjacent valve tissue.
Vegetations typically have a broad based attachment and can appear relatively smooth however the free margins are often rough as sections break off an embolise to leave a roughened edge. Lesions may extend between leaflets or between valves or from valve leaflet to atrial endocardium, interventricular/interatrial septum, chordae tendinae or aortic intima. Chordal rupture and perforating myocardial ulcers may occur. There maybe fibrosis and mineralization of some lesions.
Necrotic debris may be intermixed with the stroma.
what stains assist in identifying bacteria in infectious endocarditis
BROWN AND BRENN STAINING
what changes do you see in subacute infectious endocarditis on histo?
Subacute: Mainly histiocytes and lymphocytes and occasional plasma cells. Few pmns. More mature and organized vegetative lesions.
- smaller outer layers contain fibrin and leukocytes
- inner layers contain capillary proliferation, granulation tissue, fibroblasts and collagen
- deep later consist of histiocytes and fibrous tissue
what changes may you see in chronic endocarditis on histo
Contain varying degrees of organization- granulations tissue, scar and segments of calcium deposition
What stain maybe used to highlight fibrosis on histopath?
Masson trichrome stain
What stain may be used to highlight calcification of the valve?
von Kassa stain
what are Polymorphonuclear leukocytes?
PMNs) are a type of white blood cell (WBC) that include neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, and mast cells. PMNs are a subtype of leukocytes released by bone marrow as a first line of defense against infection or inflammation in the body.
what are common predisposing conditions to infectious endocarditis?
discospondylitis, pneumonia, prostatitis, UTI, pyoderma, periodontal disease, long term indwelling catheters
infectious endocarditis, by extension, can have what side effects?
involvement of the valve annulus, sinus of valsalva, pericardium and myocardium and may result in abscess formation, communicating fistulae, conduction system destruction or pericarditis. Infarcts are common, especially to the kidney, spleen and left ventricle. These are frequently septic. Sepsis may cause focal or diffuse myocarditis and myonecrosis, perivascular infiltrates or occasionally micro abscesses and small infarct.
What sequela to bacterial endocarditis are seen?
- CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE:
- ARRHYTHMIA
- IMMUNE-MEDIATED DISEASE
- SEPTIC EMBOLISM
how does CHF occur secondary to infectious endocarditis?
valve degeneration more commonly. Rarely due to stenosis
How may arrythmias occur secondary to infectious endocarditis?
Arrhythmias develop as a consequence of bacterial invasion into the myocardium, from myocardial hypoxia, from embolism of portions of vegetations into the coronary circulation, and as a result of immune-mediated vasculitis
Why may immune mediated disease develop secondary to endocarditis?
Patient response is the development of high titres of abs against the infections -> continuous formation of IgM, IgG and C3 (complement)
Rheumatoid factor may impair the ability of the complement to solubilize immune complexes ->immune complex depositionand further complement activation and tissue destruction -> glomerulophritis / polyarthritis (observed in 36% and 75% of dogs respectively in one study).
Levels of circulating immune complexes reduce rapidly after introducing ab therapy in people with IE. Septic arthritis is also possible but is less common than immune-mediated arthritis.
How often are glomerulonephritis and polyathritis seen in patients with infectious endocarditis?
glomerulophritis / polyarthritis was observed in 36% and 75% of dogs respectively in one study
How often do septic emboli occur in infectious endocarditis?
occurs in 70-80% of dogs with IE examined at histopathology
what are common sequela of septic emboli?
Infarction of the kidneys and spleen are the most common sites, followed by infarction of the myocardium, brain and peripheral arteries, Vascular encephalopathy is uncommon in dogs
what is the most common neurological sequella of septic emboli in dogs ?
Most commonly due to emboli getting lodged in the MIDDLE CEREBRAL ARTERY in people in people and dogs
what are the most common causes of death in patients with infectious endocarditis?
Death due to the combined effects of renal infarction, infection, and glomerulonephritis occurs in a substantial percentage of affected dogs. On occasion, death results from myocardial infarction caused by embolic occlusion of a coronary artery
How useful are blood cultures in the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis ?
Why?
Positive blood cultures are invaluable for establishing a diagnosis and selecting appropriate antibacterial treatment. - 60% to 70% of obtained blood cultures have been reported to be negative in dogs with IE, presumably associated with a high proportion of dogs receiving ab treatment prior to sampling. Some bacteria may be occult due to encapsulation within the lesion. Others are slow growing