The morbidity and mortality pattern of Brucella endocarditis

Six cases of well-documented Brucella endocarditis are reported. All the patients gave a history of ingestion of raw milk and/or being in contact with sheep and/or camels during herding. The diagnosis was based in each case on a history of ingestion of raw milk, high titres of Brucella antibodies, a positive blood culture and echocardiography. A combination of tetracycline, rifampicin and streptomycin was found to be effective in eradicating the Brucella organism. Two cases required aortic valve replacement, and another two required replacement of both aortic and mitral valves. One case died before any surgical intervention could be performed and one patient did not require surgery. Although it was noted that the Brucella organism attacks mainly valves which are already damaged, it may also attack and infect normal valves.