RECURRENT BACTERIAL-ENDOCARDITIS DUE TO S TREPTOCOCCUS-MUTANS IN A CHILD

Bacterial endocarditis belongs to the rare diseases in childhood. It o ccurs usually as a single episode and almost exclusively in children w ith congenital heart disease. In recent years, however, an increased n umber of renewed endocarditis after the first episode were reported, e specially in drug addicts. We present a case of renewed subacute infec tive endocarditis 3 years and 9 months after complete recovery from th e first one. Furthermore, using the available literatures, the role of risk factors, the change in spectrum of the infecting organisms, the diagnostic and therapeutic approach in cases with renewed infection ar e discussed.