Antibacterial Therapy of Infective Endocarditis

Abstract

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening infection that is invariably lethal without intensive antibacterial treatment. Wide array of microorganisms has been encountered as causative agents of infection with streptococci (viridans streptococci) and staphylococci being the most common. Other bacteria, fungi, chlamydiae, rickettsiae, etc. are less frequently responsible for IE. The cornerstone of successful therapy is a prolonged parenteral treatment with high doses of appropriate bactericidal antibiotics. We review published recommendations for antimicrobial treatment of IE caused by specific microorganisms depending on their antibiotic susceptibility and empiric antibacterial treatment of IE with unknown etiology as well. Short regimens of antibiotic therapy will be also discussed.