Untitled Deck

Question 1

What are the criteria for diagnosing infective endocarditis?

Answer 1

Infective endocarditis is diagnosed if pathological criteria are positive, or if there are 2 major criteria, or 1 major and 3 minor criteria, or 5 minor criteria.

Question 2

What are the pathological criteria for infective endocarditis?

Answer 2

Positive histology or microbiology of pathological material obtained at autopsy or cardiac surgery (valve tissue, vegetations, embolic fragments or intracardiac abscess content).

Question 3

What constitutes major criteria for infective endocarditis?

Answer 3

1. Positive blood cultures: two positive blood cultures showing typical organisms, persistent bacteraemia, or positive serology for specific pathogens.
2. Evidence of endocardial involvement: positive echocardiogram or new valvular regurgitation.

Question 4

What are the specific requirements for positive blood cultures in major criteria?

Answer 4

Two positive blood cultures showing typical organisms (e.g., Streptococcus viridans, HACEK group), persistent bacteraemia from two cultures taken > 12 hours apart, or three or more positive cultures with less specific pathogens (e.g., Staph aureus, Staph epidermidis).

Question 5

What are the minor criteria for infective endocarditis?

Answer 5

1. Predisposing heart condition or intravenous drug use.
2. Microbiological evidence does not meet major criteria.
3. Fever > 38ºC.
4. Vascular phenomena: major emboli, splenomegaly, clubbing, splinter haemorrhages, Janeway lesions, petechiae or purpura.
5. Immunological phenomena: glomerulonephritis, Osler’s nodes, Roth spots.