Yonsei Med J.  2004 Oct;45(5):936-940. 10.3349/ymj.2004.45.5.936.

Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis Associated with Upper Endoscopy

• Cho BC
• Lee JH
• Park JW
• Hong CS
• Kim JM
• Kang SM
• Kim YS

• KMID: 1103920
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2004.45.5.936

Abstract

Transient bacteremia associated with various endoscopic procedures is a well-documented phenomenon. Clinically important bacteremias are very rarely seen, however, this malady has significant morbidity in susceptible patients with valvular heart disease, liver cirrhosis, malignancy and immune deficiency. This bacteremia is a complication that is generally observed secondary to upper endoscopy and other associated invasive procedures in at risk patients, and the more serious manifestations include spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, septic arthritis, meningitis, brain abscess and infective endocarditis. Infective endocarditis is an extremely rare complication of gastrointestinal endoscopy, and it has been convincingly documented in only seven cases. We report a case of native valve endocarditis due to Streptococcus intermedius in a patient with valvular heart disease as a consequence of routine upper endoscopy.

Keyword

Endoscopy; endocarditis; bacteremia; antibiotic prophylaxis

MeSH Terms

Endocarditis, Subacute Bacterial/*etiology
Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal/*adverse effects
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Streptococcal Infections/*etiology
Streptococcus intermedius/*isolation & purification