Anaerobic Bacterial Endocarditis

Abstract

Clinical and bacteriologic data were analyzed for 33 patients with suspected endocarditis due to anaerobic bacteria. One hundred and thirty blood-culture specimens from these patients yielded bacteroides, fusobacterium, clostridium, propionibacterium and peptostreptococcus species. Sixty per cent of the patients in this series demonstrated embolic phenomena, whereas 48 per cent had pre-existing heart disease, a ratio lower than that of patients with endocarditis due to facultative bacteria. The oropharynx was the portal of entry for the anaerobes in 1/3 of the patients. Seven patients died; five had Bacteroides fragilis, one Bacteroides oralis, and one Propionibacterium acnes (Corynebacterium acnes). Loculated abscesses, polymicrobic infections and the absence of a bactericidal antibiotic for the treatment of B. fragilis endocarditis complicated therapy.