Infective Endocarditis

the mitral valve 16 months ago and a Streptococcus mutans infection of the aortic valve 1 month ago.

While VGS is not usually highly pathogenic, it does tend to affect people who are already at risk from another health condition such as cancer or heart conditions. In order to become pathogenic, VGS must access the blood; once it does, it often goes to the heart and causes endocarditis (Doern). A common route of access is the oral cavity through bleeding gums or during dental procedures. This is why people with heart conditions take antibiotics before dental visits (Viridans-group). VGS is also the leading cause of dental caries and gingivitis (Viridans

3) Is her history of rheumatic fever relevant to her current symptoms? Explain. Rheumatic fever caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria may cause damage to heart tissues including valves. Overtime, congestive heart failure may have developed. However, the pulmonary semilunar valve seems to be the issue in this case study, whereas rheumatic fever normally affects left heart tissue.

Is an infection that is life threatening and spreads to the lungs, abdomen, and urinary tract. This infection is linked to osteomyelitis, central nervous system, heart and other tissues. Symptoms include: chills, fever, rapid heartbeat, and progresses to shock, red spots on skin, and confusion.

Is aggressive widespread inflammatory response to infection (sepsis) or perceived invader. Also, ischemia, infarction and injury.

Since it has been determined by researchers that causative agents of infective endocarditis play a major role in treatment, it is important to know what exact causes those are. In a study by Zauner et al. (2013), “IE-causing pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus, viridans streptococci, enterococci, streptococci, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and miscellaneous pathogens” (637). Depending upon the organism that infects the heart, there are different outcomes. For example, those infected by staphylococcus aureus suffered noticeably higher sepsis rates, or severe blood infections. S. aureus also tended to cause more cases of emboli activity, or blockages in the bloodstream. In contrast, other organisms affected the body differntly.

As you have seen above, the condition is a progressive process and this means that it can be prevented and treated, especially when it is discovered in time. It usually starts from the damage of the important part of the heart that is called the endothelium. The damage is always caused by smoking, high blood pressure, as well as well as high level of cholesterol. This usually puts the heart into a serious pressure.

A systemic infection is the opposite, which is when the infection is throughout the whole body or can affect a number of organs and tissues, so any infection in your blood stream is known as a systemic infection such as HIV/AIDS. Another example is Diabetes and hyper or hypo tension.

Myocarditis is inflammation of the middle wall of the heart that is caused by infection. The causes of this infection is other infections such as upper respiratory infections, lime disease, cocaine use or other toxic chemical exposure such as spider bites, metal poison, or snake bites but all of which are uncommon except for upper respiratory infections. There may be no signs or symptoms or they may cause heart murmurs or abnormal heart rhythms or shortness of breath or swelling. Myocarditis can affect the muscles as well as the hearts electrical system or a clot could form causing heart attacks or strokes. This is a very dangerous infection. There are treatments for this infection such as beta blockers and diuretics for less severe cases or IV antibiotics or intra-aortic balloon pumps for the more severe cases. However if left untreated it can cause CHF and or

Pericarditis is a broad term for a condition in which the thin, sac-like membrane surrounding the heart, called the pericardium, becomes irritated and inflamed. It could arise from a previous illness or it could develop as a surgical disorder. Acute pericarditis develops suddenly and could last for several months. Constrictive pericarditis occurs when the two layers of the pericardium fuse together and become fibrous, compressing the heart. This limits the diastolic filling of the ventricles. The pericardium is composed of an inner and outer layer. Normally, a small amount of fluid exists between these two layers. When the pericardium is inflamed, extra fluid collects between these layers and results in the compression of the heart, making it more difficult for the heart to pump. When symptoms persist for longer than usual, it is considered to be chronic pericarditis, which often results in constrictive pericarditis (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute , 2012). Viral infections are most often the cause, resulting in viral pericarditis.

Rheumatic heart disease- is as a result of a bacterial infection as a child, resulting in pain in the chest and joints, also affecting heart valve functionality.

Similar to other diseases coronary heart disease affects thousands of people. The disease affects the heart in that it causes a waxy substance called plaque where it builds up inside of the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. When a person has coronary heart disease the hardened arteries restrict blood flow, which means that the heart cannot receive enough oxygenated blood, especially when it beats quickly during physical exertion or stress. This can cause chest pain and shortness of breath. However, if the artery is completely blocked, a heart attack can occur. Lack of oxygen during a heart attack causes damage as the heart muscle dies and is replaced with scar tissue. If damage is severe, the heart

Rheumatic heart disease is a complication of rheumatic fever in which the heart valves are damaged. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that begins with strep throat. It can affect connective tissue throughout the body, especially in the heart, joints, brain and skin. Although rheumatic fever can strike people of all ages, it is most common in children between 5 and 15 years old. The best way to prevent rheumatic fever is to treat strep

Cardiovascular diseases are diseases which involve the heart or blood vessels, they are in fact the leading causes of death and disability in the world. Cardiovascular diseases include coronary artery disease, or ischaemic heart disease (heart attack), cerebrovascular disease (stroke) and diseases of the aorta and arteries including hypertension and peripheral vascular disease (Mendis, Puska, & Norrving, 2011). They are all due to a disease known as atherosclerosis which affects arteries (George, & Johnson, 2010). There are also other cardiovascular disease that are not related to atherosclerosis, for instance, congenital heart disease caused by abnormal structures of the heart existing at birth, rheumatic heart disease due to Type II hypersensitivity reaction following streptococcal bacteria infection, cardiomyopathies (disorders of the heart muscle) and cardiac arrhythmias (disorders of electrical conduction system of the heart). Among all the cardiovascular diseases, coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease are the first two major contributors to global mortality (Mendis, Puska, & Norrving, 2011).

is coronary artery disease, which involves the collection of cholesterol at inflamed sections of the arteries within the heart (Wedro). These accumulations of cholesterol then harden, forming plaques which narrow the vessels and restrict blood flow to the heart.