title: Streptococcal endocarditis: single vs. combination antibiotic therapy and role of various species.
abstract: Forty-eight patients with 51 episodes of infective endocarditis caused by streptococci were studied in a comparison of the efficacy of single antibiotic therapy versus that of combination therapy. There was no statistical difference in terms of clinical course, toxicity, and mortality between the group given a single drug and that given combination therapy. However, one patient experienced two relapses, in both instances after high-dose penicillin therapy. The species and antibiotic susceptibilities of the infecting organisms were determined. The majority of isolates were alpha-hemolytic, with Streptococcus sanguis recovered most commonly. Streptococcus bovis and group B beta-hemolytic streptococci were the next most frequent isolates.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000617:Aminoglycosides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010406:Penicillins