How does subacute bacterial endocarditis differ from acute bacterial endocarditis?

Infective endocarditis can be either acute or subacute. Acute infective endocarditis can develop suddenly and become life-threatening within days. Subacute infective endocarditis develops slowly over a period of several weeks to several months.

What is subacute infective endocarditis?

Overview. Subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE) is a slowly developing type of infective endocarditis — an infection of the lining of your heart (endocardium). Infective endocarditis can affect your heart’s valves, too.

How can you distinguish between acute and subacute endocarditis?

Acute infections present as a rapidly progressive disease with high fevers, rigors, and sepsis. On the other hand, subacute bacterial endocarditis diagnosis is often delayed and presents with non-specific symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, and dyspnea over several weeks to months.

What agent causes subacute bacterial endocarditis?

Subacute bacterial endocarditis is usually caused by streptococcal bacteria. This form of the disease usually develops on damaged valves after dental surgery involving infected gums, reproductive or urinary (genitourinary tract) surgery or operations on the gastrointestinal tract.

Which clinical features can sometimes occur in subacute bacterial endocarditis?

Subacute bacterial endocarditis
Symptoms Malaise, weakness
Causes Streptococcus mutans, mitis, sanguis or milleri bacteria
Diagnostic method Blood culture specimens over 24-hour period/analysis
Treatment Intravenous penicillin

What does acute and subacute mean?

Acute is defined as less than 1 month of symptoms, whereas subacute refers to more than 1 month of symptoms but less than 3 months.

What are the symptoms of subacute bacterial endocarditis?

Acute bacterial endocarditis usually begins suddenly with a high fever, fast heart rate, fatigue, and rapid and extensive heart valve damage. Subacute bacterial endocarditis gradually causes such symptoms as fatigue, mild fever, a moderately fast heart rate, weight loss, sweating, and a low red blood cell count.

Which of the following are signs and symptoms of subacute endocarditis?

Symptoms

  • Aching joints and muscles.
  • Chest pain when you breathe.
  • Fatigue.
  • Flu-like symptoms, such as fever and chills.
  • Night sweats.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Swelling in your feet, legs or abdomen.
  • A new or changed heart murmur, which is the heart sound made by blood rushing through your heart.

Which of the following is the most common causative agent of acute endocarditis?

Data suggest that S aureus may now be the most common infecting organism in both early and late PVE. In 75% of cases of IVDA IE, no underlying valvular abnormalities are noted, and 50% of these infections involve the tricuspid valve. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common causative organism.

Which is the most common causative agent of acute endocarditis?

Bacterial. Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of infective endocarditis in most parts of the world and is responsible for about 31% of cases. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of endocarditis in people who use intravenous drugs.

What is subacute infection?

An infection intermediate between acute and chronic.

What subacute means?

Definition of subacute 1 : having a tapered but not sharply pointed form subacute leaves. 2a : falling between acute and chronic in character especially when closer to acute subacute endocarditis. b : less marked in severity or duration than a corresponding acute state subacute pain.