Most common cause of aificial hea valve infection?
Staphylococcus aureus
Streptococcus mutans
Staph epidermidis
Pneumococcus
Ans. is 'c' i.e., Staph epidermidis Most common cause of prosthetic valve endocarditis upto 12 months is coagulase - negative staphylococci (staph. epidermidis). Most common causes of infective endocarditis In native wall - Staphylococcus aureus. In early prosthetic valve (up to 12 months after valve surgery) - Staphylococcus epidermidis (coagulase negative staphylococcus). In late prosthetic valve (more than 12 months after valve surgery) - streptococcus viridans. In IV drug abusers - Staphylococcus aureus. In patients with intravenous catheter - coagulase negative staphylococci. After dental procedure (tooth extraction) - streptococcus mutans.