Cardiobacterium: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 06:23, 16 February 2025

A genus of bacteria in the family Cardiobacteriaceae

Cardiobacterium is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria that belongs to the family Cardiobacteriaceae. This genus is known for its role in infective endocarditis, particularly in humans. The most notable species within this genus is Cardiobacterium hominis.

Characteristics[edit]

Cardiobacterium species are facultative anaerobes, meaning they can survive in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. They are part of the normal flora of the human oropharynx but can become pathogenic under certain conditions.

Morphology[edit]

Cardiobacterium are pleomorphic, meaning they can have various shapes, but they are generally rod-shaped. They are non-motile and do not form spores.

Growth and Cultivation[edit]

These bacteria grow best in enriched media under conditions that mimic the human body, such as 5% carbon dioxide. They are slow-growing, which can make them difficult to isolate in laboratory settings.

Pathogenicity[edit]

Cardiobacterium hominis is primarily associated with endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves. This condition is part of the HACEK group, a collection of Gram-negative bacteria that are a common cause of endocarditis in patients with pre-existing heart conditions.

Clinical Manifestations[edit]

Patients with Cardiobacterium endocarditis may present with symptoms such as fever, heart murmur, and signs of embolic phenomena. Diagnosis is often confirmed through blood cultures and echocardiography.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment of Cardiobacterium infections typically involves prolonged courses of antibiotics, such as penicillin or ceftriaxone. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair or replace damaged heart valves.

Prevention[edit]

Preventive measures include maintaining good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, as these bacteria are part of the oral flora. Prophylactic antibiotics may be recommended for high-risk patients undergoing dental procedures.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Cardiobacterium hominis''' is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that is a member of the HACEK group, a collection of bacteria that are a rare cause of infective endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers and heart valves. It is a facultatively anaerobic organism, meaning it can grow in the presence or absence of oxygen, and is part of the normal flora of the human upper respiratory tract. This bacterium is characterized by its slow-growing nature, which can complicate diagnosis and treatment of infections it causes.
+{{Short description|A genus of bacteria in the family Cardiobacteriaceae}}
+{{Taxobox
+| name = Cardiobacterium
+| image = Cardiobacterium_hominis.jpg
+| image_caption = ''Cardiobacterium hominis''
+| domain = Bacteria
+| phylum = Proteobacteria
+| classis = Gammaproteobacteria
+| ordo = Cardiobacteriales
+| familia = Cardiobacteriaceae
+| genus = ''Cardiobacterium''
+}}
+'''''Cardiobacterium''''' is a genus of [[Gram-negative bacteria]] that belongs to the family [[Cardiobacteriaceae]]. This genus is known for its role in [[infective endocarditis]], particularly in humans. The most notable species within this genus is ''[[Cardiobacterium hominis]]''.
 ==Characteristics==
-Cardiobacterium hominis is distinguished by its pleomorphic shape, often appearing as long rods with a tendency to form rosettes. It is oxidase and catalase positive, and produces indole. The bacterium ferments carbohydrates, producing acid but no gas. Its growth is enhanced by the presence of carbon dioxide, and it does not grow on MacConkey agar, a selective and differential medium commonly used in microbiology.
+''Cardiobacterium'' species are [[facultative anaerobes]], meaning they can survive in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. They are part of the normal flora of the human [[oropharynx]] but can become pathogenic under certain conditions.
+===Morphology===
+''Cardiobacterium'' are pleomorphic, meaning they can have various shapes, but they are generally rod-shaped. They are non-motile and do not form spores.
-==Pathogenesis==
+===Growth and Cultivation===
-While Cardiobacterium hominis is part of the normal oral and upper respiratory tract flora, it can become pathogenic under certain conditions, particularly in individuals with pre-existing heart conditions or those who have undergone invasive procedures that breach the mucosal barrier. The bacterium can enter the bloodstream and adhere to damaged heart valves, leading to infective endocarditis. The infection is characterized by the formation of vegetations, which are masses of platelets, fibrin, microcolonies of microorganisms, and scant inflammatory cells.
+These bacteria grow best in enriched media under conditions that mimic the human body, such as 5% carbon dioxide. They are slow-growing, which can make them difficult to isolate in laboratory settings.
-Infective endocarditis caused by Cardiobacterium hominis is typically subacute, meaning it develops slowly over weeks to months. Patients may present with nonspecific symptoms such as fever, malaise, anorexia, and weight loss. Diagnosis is challenging due to the slow-growing nature of the bacterium, requiring extended blood culture periods and careful interpretation of results.
+==Pathogenicity==
+''Cardiobacterium hominis'' is primarily associated with [[endocarditis]], an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves. This condition is part of the [[HACEK group]], a collection of Gram-negative bacteria that are a common cause of endocarditis in patients with pre-existing heart conditions.
-==Diagnosis==
+===Clinical Manifestations===
-The diagnosis of Cardiobacterium hominis infective endocarditis relies on blood cultures and echocardiography. Blood cultures should be incubated for at least three weeks to allow for the slow growth of the bacterium. Echocardiography, particularly transesophageal echocardiography, is used to visualize vegetations on heart valves and assess the extent of the infection.
+Patients with ''Cardiobacterium'' endocarditis may present with symptoms such as fever, heart murmur, and signs of embolic phenomena. Diagnosis is often confirmed through blood cultures and echocardiography.
 ==Treatment==
-Treatment of infective endocarditis caused by Cardiobacterium hominis involves prolonged courses of antibiotics, typically beta-lactam antibiotics such as ceftriaxone or ampicillin, often in combination with an aminoglycoside for synergistic effect. The duration of antibiotic therapy can range from 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the severity of the infection and the patient's response to treatment. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair or replace damaged heart valves.
+Treatment of ''Cardiobacterium'' infections typically involves prolonged courses of [[antibiotics]], such as [[penicillin]] or [[ceftriaxone]]. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair or replace damaged heart valves.
 ==Prevention==
-Preventive measures for Cardiobacterium hominis infective endocarditis include maintaining good oral hygiene and ensuring that individuals at high risk of endocarditis receive appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis before undergoing dental or surgical procedures that could introduce bacteria into the bloodstream.
+Preventive measures include maintaining good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, as these bacteria are part of the oral flora. Prophylactic antibiotics may be recommended for high-risk patients undergoing dental procedures.
-[[Category:Bacteria]]
+==Related pages==
-[[Category:Cardiology]]
+* [[Infective endocarditis]]
-[[Category:Infectious diseases]]
+* [[HACEK organisms]]
+* [[Gram-negative bacteria]]
-{{Medicine-stub}}
+[[Category:Cardiobacteriaceae]]
+[[Category:Gram-negative bacteria]]
+[[Category:Pathogenic bacteria]]