Infective endocarditis-experience in Nigeria.
Ninety cases of infective endocarditis seen over a 10-year-period at University College Hospital, Ibadan, are reviewed. The peak incidence was in the third decade and rheumatic heart disease was the commonest pre-existing lesion in 59 cases with subacute endocarditis. In most cases the source of infection was not known. In 41 of the 90 cases (44%) the diagnosis was made only at autopsy. The bacterial isolation rate was low, the commonest organisms being staphylococci, streptococci, micrococci and gramnegative bacilli. The overall mortality was 70%. A plea is made for increasing awareness of the disease and prompt institution of effective treatment.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000150:complications