Neurological expression of infectious endocarditis

Fourteen cases of infective endocarditis revealed by neurological manifesta tions are reported: 8 strokes tone transient ischemic attack, one regressin g and 6 completed strokes), 2 intracranial hematomas tone due to ruptured m ycotic aneurysm), 2 toxic encephalopathies, one grand mal seizure, one supp urative meningitis. Most of them were native valve endocarditis, and strept ococcus was the most frequently responsible bacteria. The outcome was chara cterized by a high mortality (6 cases) and morbidity (4 cases). This emphas izes the usefulness of preventing antibiotherapy in patients with known pre disposing factors and the necessity for these patients to be admitted in ne urological intensive care units.