Despite rigorous diagnostic testing, the cause of infective endocarditis was identified for just 60 (45.5%) of 132 patients admitted to hospitals in Khon Kaen, Thailand, during January 2010-July 2012. Most pathogens identified were Viridans streptococci and zoonotic bacteria species, as found in other resource-limited countries where underlying rheumatic heart disease is common.
Keywords: Bartonella; Coxiella burnetii; Infective endocarditis; Q fever; Thailand; Viridans streptococci; antimicrobial drugs; bacteria; congestive heart failure; heart valve; rheumatic heart disease; zoonoses.