Infective Endocarditis 

It  is a term used to include subacute bacterial endocarditis as well as infection caused by viruses  and fungi. 

The causative organisms responsible  for causing, infective endocarditis are streptococcus  viridens,  staphyllococci,  Pneumococci, enterococci  and fungi such as candida albicans.  It also occurs as a late complication of valvular heart disease. 

The organisms enter the blood stream from a local infection and tend to settle down and grow as vegetations  on abnormal valves and areas of turbulance within the heart. These vegetations are abnormal outgrowths of microorganisms  and deposits  of fibrin and platelet  thrombi at  the sites of erosion of endocardium. They may invade adjacent issues like myocardium and aortic  and mitral valves. They may also break off and form emboli which may travel  to lungs, central nervous  system, skin and spleen.