Biomedical subjects

M Nashif

Publications and source records attributed to M Nashif.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1983

Infective endocarditis caused by uncommon bacteria.

The present study is an attempt to define the uncommon bacteria (UB) causing endocarditis and to evaluate their prevalence and clinical significance. Review of 13 series (including ours) revealed that UB were the infecting organisms in 105/1989 patients (5.3%). The leading bacteria were: Pneumococcus, Haemophilus sp., Corynebacterium sp., Neisseria sp., Streptobacillus moniliformis, Cardiobacterium hominis and Erysipelothrix sp. These data are similar to those obtained from 111 sporadic case reports published in English during the last 6 yr and cited in the Index Medicus. Infection by UB usually resembles that by the common bacteria. However, Haemophilus sp. seems to affect mainly the young and is associated with major arterial occlusions, and Brucella is claimed to have a greater affinity to the aortic valve. UB are more frequent in patients with polymicrobial infections and their diagnosis is often delayed. Greater awareness to the possibility of infections with UB is needed for early diagnosis and improved prognosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Musculoskeletal manifestations of bacterial endocarditis.

The musculoskeletal (MS) involvement of 91 patients with bacterial endocarditis (BE) is reported. Twenty-three patients (25.2%) exhibited MS symptoms; 74% had arthralgias often associated with arthritis and low back pain (LBP), 48% had myalgias, and 43.4% had LBP. The articular symptoms usually were polyarticular and symmetric, affecting both the large and small joints. Two of 12 patients had a positive test for rheumatoid factor activity, and 2 of 5 had a positive FANA test. Patients with MS symptoms did not differ from those with no such symptoms by their mean age, by their underlying heart disease, or by the nature of their cardiac lesions. They were characterized by female preponderance and increased prevalence of streptococcal infections. In view of our data and the relevant literature, it seems that MS symptoms are common in patients with BE. They often antedate the diagnosis of BE by several weeks and can mimic other rheumatic diseases. Therefore, unexplained rheumatic symptoms should always alert the physician to the possibility of bacterial endocarditis.

Adult↗