From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Subacute endocarditis
(also called endocarditis lenta) is a type of endocarditis (more
specifically, infective endocarditis) usually caused by a form
of streptococci bacteria that normally live in the mouth and
throat (Streptococcus mutans, mitis, sanguis,or milleri). Other
strains of streptococci (bovis and equines) can also cause
subacute endocarditis, usually in patients who have a form of
gastrointestinal cancer. Underlying structural valve disease is
usually present in patients before developing subacute
endocarditis. It is less likely to lead to septic emboli than is
acute endocarditis, but subacute endocarditis has a relatively
slow process of infection and, if left untreated, can worsen for
up to one year before it is fatal. Treatment The standard
treatment is with a minimum of four weeks of high-dose
intravenous penicillin with an aminoglycoside such as
gentamicin. This article is based on an article from Wikipedia,
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