[Thoracic infectious aortitis: microbiology, pathophysiology and treatment].
BACKGROUND
Thoracic infectious aortitis are currently rare. They are always lethal without any treatment. The microorganisms involved are numerous with particular pathophysiological characteristics for each bacterium. Treatment is difficult and must associate medical and surgical care.


RESULTS
Bacterial epidemiology of infectious aortitis has been profoundly modified with the large use of antibiotics. Syphilitic aortitis were frequent in the beginning of the twentieth century but its incidence has dramatically fallen. It still exists and its clinical presentation must be known to begin an adequate treatment. Other bacterial aetiologies of these aortitis are more classical with high frequencies of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus, which are often associated with infective endocarditis. Among Gram-negative bacteria, Salmonella spp are the most frequently met microorganisms. Atherosclerosis represents the principal risk factor of these infectious aortitis. It provokes arterial parietal damage useful for bacterial attach. A saccular aneurysm of infective origin can then appear. Treatment must consist on antibiotics before surgery; Tuberculous aortitis are also possible but are much more rare.


CONCLUSIONS
Thoracic infectious aortitis are very rare but must be known because of their poor prognosis. Treatment is difficult and prevention of atherosclerosis which is the most important risk factor of these diseases is therefore of greatest importance.
Revest
M
M
Département de médecine de l'adulte, service de médecine interne du Professeur-Grosbois, CHU hôpital Sud, 16, boulevard de Bulgarie, BP 90347, 35203 Rennes cedex 02, France.
Decaux
O
O
Cazalets
C
C
Verohye
J-P
JP
Jégo
P
P
Grosbois
B
B
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D001025:Aortitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents