Adding Molecular Analysis to the Diagnostic Toolbox for Infective Endocarditis

In an observational study of patients with infective endocarditis who underwent valve surgery, molecular analysis of the valve increased the likelihood of identifying a pathogen.

In patients with infective endocarditis (IE), prior receipt of antibiotics, insufficient diagnostic techniques, and infection with fastidious organisms can yield negative blood cultures. Valve repair or replacement offers an opportunity to identify the causative organism by applying molecular diagnostics to cultured valves. In a prospective observational study, investigators in Italy enrolled 189 consecutive patients who underwent valve surgery from 2012 to 2021. Among these, 137 had definite IE and 52 controls did not. Data from blood culture, valve culture, and valve molecular analysis (MA) with 16S and 18S rRNA PCR where obtained.

Blood culture was positive in 55% of IE cases, valve culture was positive in 22%, and valve MA was positive i…

Reviewing Author

Hana M. El Sahly, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health

Hana M. El Sahly, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health

Adding Molecular Analysis to the Diagnostic Toolbox for Infective Endocarditis

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Reviewing Author