Comparison of clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of Streptococcus bovis endocarditis with that caused by other pathogens

The aim of our study was to compare the Clinical, echographic, and prognostic features of Streptococcus bovis (S. bovis) endocarditis with those caused by other streptococci and pathogens in a large sample of patients with definite endocarditis by Duke criteria, using transesophageal echocardiography. Two hundred six patients (149 men, mean age 57 +/- 15 years) with a diagnosis of infective endocarditis formed the study population. All patients underwent multiplane transesophageal echocardiography and blood cultures. Cerebral, thoracoabdominal computed tomographic scan was performed in almost all patients (95%). All patients with S. bovis endocarditis underwent colonoscopy. Incidence of S. bovis endocarditis in our sample was 19%. Patients with S. bovis endocarditis were older than other groups. Multiple valve involvement, native valves, and large vegetations (> 10 mm) were more frequent in patients with S. bovis. There was a significantly higher occurrence of embolism in the S. bovis group. Splenic embolism and multiple embolisms were significantly more frequent in patients with S. bovis. Gastrointestinal lesions, anemia, and spondylitis were observed more frequently with S. bovis endocarditis. In addition to the requirement for gastrointestinal examination for S. bovis endocarditis, our study underlines the need for systematic screening for vertebral and splenic localizations, and suggests the use of early surgery to prevent the high risk of embolism in these patients. (C) 2001 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.