Bartonella species as a cause of culture-negative endocarditis in South Africa

Previous reports have highlighted the high prevalence of blood culture negative endocarditis (BCNE) in South Africa. The Tygerberg Endocarditis Cohort (TEC) study is an ongoing prospective cohort patients with confirmed or suspected IE presenting to Academic Hospital, Cape Town, Current analysis includes that presented between November 2019 and August 2020. Forty four (44) been included this study. Fourteen 44 (31.8%) had BCNE. Further BCNE identified Bartonella species as most common causative organism (n=6; 43%). Other causes Mycoplasma (n=2). No cause could be 4 (9%). quintana was PCR valvular tissue 5 underwent urgent surgery. (n=6) average age 39 years equal gender distribution. clinical features were clubbing (n=5; 83%), anemia (n=4; 66.6%), haematuria (n=3; 50%), acute on chronic severe regurgitant lesion 50%) (n=2; 33.3%).The aortic valve involved 6 patients. During a mean follow-up period 251 days after diagnosis, no major adverse events occurred. Bartonella-associated important Western Imaging findings (in BCNE) significant destruction large vegetations not affected by congenital rheumatic disease should raise suspicion IE.