SUBACUTE BACTERIAL ENDOCARDITIS DUE TO GRAM NEGATIVE ORGANISMS

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Abstract
Since the advent of the newer antibiotics there has appeared a multitude of articles on the treatment of subacute bacterial endocarditis. Dealing almost exclusively with the penicillin therapy of streptococcic infections, these articles reemphasize the statistics of many authorities who point out that from 90 to 95 per cent of all cases are due to this group of organisms. Among the remaining small percentage, however, it is noted that the Hemophilus influenzae group has been frequently incriminated. Indeed, Thayer estimated that 2.5 per cent of all cases are caused by this group, although others believe this figure to be too high. In reviewing the literature since the introduction of the sulfonamide compounds we have found reports of only 4 cases of H. influenzae endocarditis, and considerable discrepancy is noted in the results obtained with this group of drugs. Rose and Craven and his associates were unable to influence the course