[Septic endocarditis--a predictable or unpredictable disease? Clinico-immunologic aspects]

Based on an analysis of the clinical picture of 248 cases of septic endocarditis, disorders in the immunologic status (reduction in the E-RFC, EAC-RFC counts, absolute count of Ea-RFC, significant rise of immunoglobulins of all classes, hypocomplementemia in 37.5% of patients, increase in the titer of circulating immune complexes in 86% of patients) the authors discuss the causes (virulence of the causative agent, immunodeficiency) that favour the development of septic endocarditis.