title: [Infective endocarditis. Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment].
abstract: After careful review of evidence-based literature, clinical and laboratory criteria for diagnosis of bacterial and fungal endocarditis are examined. The choice criteria for therapy of bacterial endocarditis, both empiric and directed against a specific pathogen, are reviewed, on the basis of the clinical and epidemiological context (prosthetic or native valve, left or right heart, drug addiction). Different treatment options are proposed, based on results of antibiotic resistance testing. Indications and contraindications for a parenteral home treatment and those for surgical treatment are examined, also according to the results of ultrasonography.
authors.affiliation: II Divisione di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Roma.
authors.forename: Evangelo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boumis
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alba
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cicalini
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Marco
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Festa
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Macrì
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vincenzi
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Petrosillo
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000592:standards; D000075202:Contraindications; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004452:Echocardiography; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000382:microbiology; D018718:Home Infusion Therapy / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents