What causes acute bacterial endocarditis staphylococcus aureus?
The diagnosis of endocarditis can be simple if all of the signs and symptoms are present. Blood samples cultured in a laboratory to grow any organism present will usually reveal the source of the infection, and the result will help the physician choose which antibiotics to use. An echocardiogram (an ultrasound exam of the heart) will usually show the vegetations. Treating endocarditis requires several weeks of intravenous antibiotics. Surgery may be required if the valves are severely damaged, if an abscess develops in the heart or if antibiotics do not cure the infection.
