ID:IOTS - Infectious Disease Insight Of Two Specialists 35. ...arriving at ACEK
Nov 28, 2022
Join Callum and Jame as they dive into the fascinating world of HACEK organisms, shedding light on their roles in endocarditis. Discover how bacterial strains, dental health, and certain behaviors impact heart health. The duo also navigates complex bacterial classifications, revealing insights into Aggregatobacter to Kingella. Learn about the nuances of diagnosing these infections, the challenges of antibiotic resistance, and the importance of personalized treatment strategies. Prepare for a mix of humor and deep insights into infectious diseases!
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HACEK Overview And Risk Factors
- The HACEK (non-Haemophilus) group includes Aggregatibacter, Cardiobacterium, Eikenella, and Kingella and causes about 3% of endocarditis cases.
- They are gram-negative oral flora that need dental disruption and a susceptible valve to cause disease.
Oral Source And Valve Susceptibility
- HACEK organisms are low‑virulence oral commensals that require bloodstream entry and an abnormal valve to cause endocarditis.
- Poor dentition or recent dental work are common precipitating factors in about half of HACEK cases.
Genomic Reclassification Expanded HACEK Species
- Reclassification via whole‑genome and MLST has expanded HACEK genus species in the last decade.
- New species within Aggregatibacter, Eikenella, and others reflect improved genomic resolution.