Infective Endocarditis (IE)
Culture Negative Endocarditis

Culture Negative Endocarditis

Culture Negative Endocarditis

Infectious Disease consult recommended

  • Epidemiological factors

  • History of prior infections including cardiovascular infections

  • Exposure to antimicrobials

  • Clinical course

  • Severity

  • Extra-cardiac sites of infection

Cultures are negative in infective endocarditis for 3 major reasons

  • Administration of antimicrobial agents prior to obtaining cultures

  • Inadequate microbiological techniques

  • Infection with highly fastidious bacteria or non-bacterial pathogens (i.e. fungi)