Definition: infection occuring when bacteria in the bloodstream (bacteremia) adhere to abnormal heart valves or other damaged heart tissue; characterized by growths, known as vegetations, on the valves or other areas of the heart which can break off, travel to other parts of the body, and cause serious complications; a common causative bacteria is staphylococcus, but any organism entering the bloodstream from any site of prior infection can result in the infection.
Synonyms (terms occurring on more labels are shown first): bacterial endocarditis
More information: PubMed search and possibly Wikipedia
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