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Published on: September 20, 2018
Brucella endocarditis: a report from Iran
Negin Esmailpour1, Sima Borna, Mehrnaz Rasooli Nejad
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran. esmilpour@sina.tums.ac.ir
Tropical Doctor
|October 24, 2009
Summary
Brucellosis can cause endocarditis, a rare but fatal complication. Early diagnosis and high suspicion are crucial for managing Brucella endocarditis and improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Brucellosis is an endemic disease with serious complications.
- Endocarditis is a rare but life-threatening focal complication of brucellosis.
- Prompt diagnosis of endemic disease complications is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cases of Brucella endocarditis.
- To understand the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Brucella endocarditis.
- To emphasize the importance of early diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series analysis.
- Inclusion of patients diagnosed with Brucella endocarditis.
- Data collection on demographics, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Nine cases of Brucella endocarditis were identified between 1998 and 2006.
- The median age was 38.11 years, with 77.7% being male.
- Aortic valve involvement was most common (66.6%), with a median diagnostic delay of 5.33 months.
- Serologic tests were positive in 88.8%, blood cultures in 22.2%.
- Five patients underwent aortic valve replacement surgery.
- One patient died due to arrhythmia.
Conclusions:
- Brucella endocarditis requires a high index of suspicion for timely diagnosis.
- Early detection and appropriate management can ameliorate outcomes.
- Brucellosis poses a significant risk for cardiac complications.
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