Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of Cardiac Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Endomyocardial Bioptic Samples of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy Patients
09:16

Isolation and Characterization of Cardiac Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Endomyocardial Bioptic Samples of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy Patients

Published on: February 28, 2018

9.7K

Fungal endocarditis

Daniela Tacke1, Philipp Koehler, Oliver A Cornely

  • 1a1st Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne bZentrum für Klinische Studien (BMBF 01KN1106), cCologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany *Daniela Tacke and Philipp Koehler contributed equally to the writing of this article.

Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases
|October 16, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Fungal endocarditis is rare but serious, often affecting immunocompromised patients. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with antifungals and surgery are crucial for improving outcomes in this challenging condition.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Fungal endocarditis is a rare but severe infection of the heart valves.
  • It predominantly affects patients with predisposing host conditions, leading to a poor prognosis.
  • There is a critical need for established treatment guidelines and prophylaxis strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide up-to-date information on treatment recommendations for fungal endocarditis.
  • To review recent case reports and discuss challenges in prophylaxis and treatment.
  • To highlight the importance of early diagnosis and management.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature and recent case reports on fungal endocarditis.
  • Analysis of treatment approaches for various fungal species.
  • Discussion of diagnostic modalities and prophylactic strategies.

Main Results:

  • An increase in cases caused by non-albicans Candida species and other fungi (e.g., Fusarium solani, Exophiala dermatitidis) was reported.
  • Treatment often involves individualized, case-by-case approaches due to a lack of randomized controlled trials.
  • Lack of standardized treatment recommendations was noted.

Conclusions:

  • Fungal endocarditis requires a high index of suspicion and awareness of at-risk patient groups.
  • Aggressive diagnosis via echocardiography and cultures is vital for improving outcomes.
  • Immediate treatment for Candida endocarditis involves surgery and antifungals (liposomal amphotericin B or caspofungin), while Aspergillus endocarditis necessitates rapid surgery and voriconazole.

More Related Videos

Catheter-based Endovascular Angioplasty for Fibrosing Mediastinitis-associated Pulmonary Vein Stenosis06:59

Catheter-based Endovascular Angioplasty for Fibrosing Mediastinitis-associated Pulmonary Vein Stenosis

Published on: August 26, 2025

748
A Contemporary Warming/Restraining Device for Efficient Tail Vein Injections in a Murine Fungal Sepsis Model06:02

A Contemporary Warming/Restraining Device for Efficient Tail Vein Injections in a Murine Fungal Sepsis Model

Published on: November 6, 2020

17.8K

Related Concept Videos

Endocarditis I: Introduction01:25

Endocarditis 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...
894
Endocarditis III: Medical Management01:18

Endocarditis 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...
390
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

Endocarditis 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...
953
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management01:29

Endocarditis 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...
639
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
497
Myocarditis I: Introduction01:21

Myocarditis 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...
647