title: Clinical characteristics and outcome ofBrucellaendocarditis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Brucella endocarditis, which is a rare condition, is the most common cause of death in human brucellosis, leading to severe cardiac complications. By collecting and analyzing clinical cases, we analyzed the clinical characteristics and outcome of Brucella endocarditis in endemic areas in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  Presented here are 5 cases of Brucella endocarditis, all managed uniformly. We present the clinical, serological, and echocardiographic features; the therapeutic approach; and the follow-up of five patients with Brucella endocarditis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a predominance of aortic involvement (4 cases) and a high incidence of left ventricular failure (5 cases). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing was positive in all five patients. Diagnostic suspicion was essential in order to test blood cultures correctly, which in this series were positive in 3 patients. In the follow-up postoperative period of a minimum of 24 months, the patients suffered rare relapse in terms of either the infection or the dysfunction in terms of prosthesis after 3-month antibiotic therapy, with only one exception that died within that period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We should pay attention to Brucella infections and strengthen public awareness and education. It is necessary to screen for and recognize Brucella endocarditis cases early and to provide adequate antibiotic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002002:Brucella; D002006:Brucellosis; D002681:China; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Brucella endocarditis; Clinical characteristics; outcome