MIXED INFECTION IN SUBACUTE BACTERIAL ENDOCARDITIS

Abstract

SUBACUTE bacterial endocarditis caused by more than one micro-organism is uncommon. In 1942, Orgain and Poston¹ described 6 cases of mixed infection; since their report several additional cases² have been reported. The recognition of mixed infections is of more than theoretic interest in view of the present choice of antibiotics. Prompt treatment with the appropriate drug, in adequate dosage, can be facilitated when all the micro-organismss concerned in the infection are identified bacteriologically and when their sensitivities to the antibiotics are determined. These considerations apply to the 2 cases of mixed infection in subacute bacterial endocarditis recently encountered in Mount Sinai Hospital. REPORT OF CASES Case 1. —S. G., a 26 year old man, sought admission to the hospital for the first time on Sept. 7, 1946, because he had had a "blind spot" in the left eye for one week. At the age of 7 years the