Infective endocarditis-experience in Nigeria.

Ninety cases of infective endocarditis seen over a 10-year-period at University College Hospital, Ibadan, are reviewed. The peak incidence was in the third decade and rheumatic heart disease was the commonest pre-existing lesion in 59 cases with subacute endocarditis. In most cases the source of infection was not known. In 41 of the 90 cases (44%) the diagnosis was made only at autopsy. The bacterial isolation rate was low, the commonest organisms being staphylococci, streptococci, micrococci and gramnegative bacilli. The overall mortality was 70%. A plea is made for increasing awareness of the disease and prompt institution of effective treatment.