Abstract
BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a pathological condition caused by various microbial agents that can lead to severe complications affecting the heart. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for the effective management of patients with IE. Blood culture is the gold standard for identifying the primary infectious agents, which is a key factor in diagnosing IE using the modified Duke criteria. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to investigate the distribution of the etiological agents of IE and the most common secondary diagnoses associated with it. METHOD: A total of 152 patients aged 23-95 years with a diagnosis of IE and proven etiology (through blood cultures or serological tests) were included in this study. RESULTS: The most common etiological agent identified through blood tests was Enterococcus faecalis, which was detected in 39 patients (23.5%). Staphylococcus aureus was the second most common agent and was identified in 33 patients (19.9%), followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis, which was identified in 12 patients (13.1%). Nine patients (5.8%) had high levels of anti-Coxiella burnetti IgG phase I and II antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: IE is a leading cause of death in the Department of Infectious Diseases. Early and accurate diagnosis, along with interdisciplinary treatment, can significantly increase the chances of patient survival. Currently, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus are the dominant etiological agents of IE, highlighting the need to revise protocols for prophylaxis, diagnosis, and initial treatment of this condition.