Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
07:46
Experimental Endocarditis Model of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Rat
Published on: June 4, 2012
Bacterial endocarditis caused by Oerskovia turbata.
Annals of Internal Medicine
|November 1, 1975
Summary
Oerskovia turbata, a soil actinomycete, caused a rare infection in a patient with an aortic valve homograft. Antimicrobial therapy failed, but valve replacement cured the infection, highlighting O. turbata as an opportunistic pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiovascular Surgery
Background:
- Oerskovia turbata, a motile actinomycete, is typically found in soil.
- Previously, Oerskovia turbata was not known to cause disease in humans or animals.
Observation:
- Oerskovia turbata was isolated from blood cultures of a patient with a homograft aortic valve replacement.
- The patient's infection persisted despite antimicrobial therapy with ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim.
Findings:
- In vitro, the antibiotic combination was lethal to Oerskovia turbata.
- Surgical replacement of the infected homograft valve with a prosthetic valve led to the patient's cure.
- The source of Oerskovia turbata infection in this patient remains unknown.
Implications:
- Oerskovia turbata represents a potential opportunistic pathogen in humans.
- Sterilizing homograft valves effectively with antimicrobial solutions is challenging.
- Environmental contamination during cardiopulmonary bypass procedures poses a risk for opportunistic infections.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Endocarditis I: Introduction
Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
01:25Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
01:18Endocarditis III: Medical Management
Infective endocarditis management involves a multifaceted approach encompassing infection prevention, lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and surgical management.Infection Prevention:Hand Hygiene: Thorough handwashing is crucial to prevent the spread of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed regularly, especially before and after using the restroom.Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential. It includes brushing teeth immediately after waking up and before bed, flossing...
01:29Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a chronic infection of the heart's endocardium, primarily affecting the heart valves. A detailed nursing assessment for a patient with IE involves collecting subjective and objective data to ensure an accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.Subjective DataThe nurse gathers information about the patient's symptoms and complaints during the subjective assessment. Patients with infective endocarditis often report non-specific symptoms that can mimic other...
01:21Myocarditis I: Introduction
Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...