Box 1.

Predisposing risk factors for endocarditis

Cardiac conditions:

  • bicuspid aortic valve

  • mitral valve prolapse

  • rheumatic valve disease

  • congenital heart disease

  • prior infective endocarditis

  • patients with implanted cardiac devices (permanent pacemakers / implantable cardioverter-defibrillator)

  • prosthetic heart valves.

Comorbidities:

  • intravenous drug use

  • chronic kidney disease (particularly dialysis patients)

  • chronic liver disease

  • malignancy

  • advanced age

  • corticosteroid use

  • poorly controlled diabetes

  • indwelling line for venous access

  • immunocompromised state (including HIV infection).