title: Brucella endocarditis - a series of five case reports.
abstract: Endocarditis due to brucellosis is considered a rare occurrence involving native, congenital and prosthetic valves. The diagnosis needs high degree of suspicion in culture negative endocarditis especially in those with history of exposure to farm animals. A positive culture in a susceptible patient confirms the diagnosis with 91% sensitivity. An early diagnosis and prompt treatment with appropriate antibiotics can restore the valve structural integrity with minimal damage. Here we present a series of five cases of culture proven Brucella endocarditis (four native valves, one prosthetic valve) and this report discusses the diagnostic and management issues involved.
authors: Department of Cardiology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. vmrtraju.mbbs@gmail.com
authors: I Tammi
authors: IT
authors: Raju
authors: Rachana
authors: R
authors: Solanki
authors: A N
authors: AN
authors: Patnaik
authors: R C
authors: RC
authors: Barik
authors: N R
authors: NR
authors: Kumari
authors: A S
authors: AS
authors: Gulati
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014463:Ultrasonography