Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
07:50
A Metadata Extraction Approach for Clinical Case Reports to Enable Advanced Understanding of Biomedical Concepts
Published on: September 20, 2018
Gonococcal endocarditis: a case report and literature review.
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Futian Hospital, Guangdong Medical College, Shenzhen, China.
Summary
This case report details a rare instance of gonococcal endocarditis in a healthy male. Diagnosis involved identifying Neisseria gonorrhoeae in blood cultures and a mitral valve vegetation.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Gonococcal endocarditis is a rare but serious infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae affecting heart valves.
- The incidence of gonococcal endocarditis has significantly decreased in the post-antibiotic era, making it an infrequent clinical diagnosis.
Observation:
- A previously healthy male presented with symptoms including double quotidian fever, chills, cough, and urethral discomfort.
- Cardiac examination revealed a vegetation on the mitral valve, suggesting infective endocarditis.
Findings:
- Blood cultures were positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, confirming the causative agent.
- The diagnosis of gonococcal endocarditis was established based on clinical presentation, echocardiographic findings, and microbiological evidence.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare infections like gonococcal endocarditis even in the modern antibiotic era.
- This report represents the first documented case of gonococcal endocarditis in China, expanding the geographical understanding of this rare condition.
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...
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
01:22Pericarditis I: Introduction
Pericarditis is defined as the inflammation of the pericardium, the thin, sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. This condition can cause significant chest pain and other symptoms, often necessitating medical intervention. The pericardium has two layers: the inner visceral layer and the outer parietal layer, separated by a small amount of fluid that reduces friction during heartbeats.Types of PericarditisPericarditis can be classified into several types based on the duration and nature of the...