An update on the epidemiology, pathogenesis and management of infective endocarditis with emphasis on Staphylococcus aureus.

The incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) is thought to be around 4/100,000 person years in the general population, and 15/100,000 over the age of 50 years. The risk of acquiring IE is higher among patients with valvular heart disease (e.g.

Second case of infective endocarditis caused by Gemella sanguinis.

Background: A 69-year-old man presented with a history of spiking fevers and symptoms of transient expressive aphasia and a left hemispheric cerebrovascular accident. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed thickened mitral leaflets. A subsequent transesophageal echocardiogram demonstrated vegetations on both mitral leaflets and severe mitral regurgitation by color flow imaging.