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Endocarditis occurs when bacteria in the bloodstream "take up residence" and begin to grow and multiply on the heart valve. The vast majority of cases of endocarditis are caused by a bacterial infection. Infective endocarditis may be acute or sub-acute. It can come on suddenly and become life-threatening within a matter of days, in which case it is called acute infective endocarditis. The most common cause - a bacterial infection - may present in two ways:- Acute bacterial endocarditis (ABE), mainly caused by staphylococci, streptococci, pneumococci or gonococci.
- The Subacute (SBE) illness, mostly caused by other streptococci or haemophilus bacteria.
Patients suspected of having acute bacterial endocarditis are usually hospitalized promptly for diagnosis and treatment.
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