Infective endocarditis caused by HACEK group bacteria —a registry-based comparative study

This study aimed to describe clinical features of IE caused by HACEK genera in comparison with IE due to other pathogens. Cases of IE due to HACEK were identified through the Swedish Registry of Infective Endocarditis (SRIE). Clinical characteristics of IE cases caused by HACEK were compared with cases of IE due to other pathogens reported to the same registry. Ninety-six patients with IE caused by HACEK were identified, and this corresponds to 1.8% of all IE cases. Eighty-three cases were definite endocarditis, and the mortality rate was 2%. The median age was 63 years, which was lower compared to patients with IE caused by other pathogens (66, 70 and 73 years respectively,p≤ 0.01). Patients with IE caused byHaemophilus were younger compared to patients with IE due toAggregatibacter (47 vs 67 years,p≤ 0.001). Patients with IE due to HACEK exhibited longer duration from onset of symptoms to hospitalization and had more prosthetic valve endocarditis compared to patients with IE due toStaphylococcus aureus (10 vs 2 days,p≤ 0.001, and 35 vs 14%,p≤ 0.001). This is, to date, the largest study on IE due to HACEK.Aggregatibacter was the most common cause of IE within the group. The condition has a subacute onset and often strikes in patients with prosthetic valves, and the mortality rate is relatively low.
Source: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research