MRSA Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about MRSA, including details on methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, hospitals, infection, antibiotic resistance, superbugs.

Infective endocarditis with negative blood cultures.

Naber CK, Erbel R

Klinik für Kardiologie, Westdeutsches Herzzentrum Essen, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstrasse 5545122 Essen, Germany. christoph.naper@uk-essen.de

Culture-negative endocarditis is important as it has a relatively poor prognosis. The principal reason for negative cultures is prior antibiotic therapy although fastidious organisms such as Bartonella spp. and Coxiella burnetii are also important. PCR may offer significant advantages in diagnosis but tests require standardisation. Modification of current diagnostic criteria is required. Empirical cover of MRSA needs to be considered.

Published 8 October 2007 in Int J Antimicrob Agents, 30: S32-6.
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