The measurement of C-reactive protein and immune complexes in endocarditis caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci.
Coagulase-negative staphylococci are a major cause of early endocarditis following the insertion of prosthetic heart valves but rarely cause endocarditis in natural valves. From a 2-year prospective study we report seven cases: six with endocarditis related to prosthetic valves and one with endocarditis related to a natural valve. Each isolate of coagulase-negative staphylococcus was identified biochemically (six Staphylococcus epidermidis; one Staphylococcus hominis) and characterised by bacteriophage typing. Six isolates were also examined for slime production and for extracellular toxins and enzymes: all produced toxin but enzyme and slime production was variable. Concentrations of immune complexes and C-reactive protein in the serum were measured in six of the patients. Our results suggest that measuring C-reactive protein may be useful but measuring immune complexes is not helpful and takes more time.
Department of Bacteriology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, U.K.
A C
AC
McCartney
T
T
McGovern
S
S
Cobb
C G
CG
Gemmell
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D001434:Bacteriophage Typing; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D003030:Coagulase / Q000378:metabolism; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D003030:Coagulase; D002097:C-Reactive Protein