Nosocomial infective endocarditis: Should the definition be extended to 6months after discharge

Abstract

Because the microbiology and patient population of infective endocarditis (IE) have evolved, the traditional definition of nosocomial IE may require revision. The question of whether this definition should be extended to 6months after discharge was explored, and a high rate of episodes with nosocomial pathogens (coagulase-negative staphylococci) and a low rate of episodes with community pathogens (streptococci) in the extended nosocomial group were found. Therefore, modification of the traditional definition is proposed, distinguishing between early (as traditionally described) and late nosocomial IE (IE in association with a significant invasive procedure performed during a hospitalization between 8 weeks and 6 months before the onset of symptoms). © 2008 The Authors Journal compilation © 2008 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.