Bacterial Endocarditis: Antibiotic Therapy

Abstract

Definitive therapy of bacterial endocarditis depends on knowledge of the infecting organism, which is gained by isolating the pathogen and establishing its sensitivity to available antibiotics.

Pathogens chiefly responsible for bacterial endocarditis are sensitive to penicillin G. When penicillin G-resistant staphylococci or less frequently occurring pathogens are involved, other antibiotics are employed on the basis of the in vitro sensitivity of the organism to the antibiotics.

The duration of therapy varies from two to eight weeks. Attainment of negative blood cultures, cessation of fever, and well-being of the patient usually indicate adequate therapy.