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Cardiobacterium hominis is a bacteria that normally resides resides in the respiratory tract but is said to play a role in causing endocarditis, although in an extremely low percentage of cases. However, it and several other bacterias fall into a group of bacterias called the "H.A.C.E.K." group, and collectively they have been associated with infections of the mouth which in turn have been linked to heart valve inflammation (endocarditis). Cardio bacterium, when involved with valvular infection, typically affects the mitral valve and the aortic valve. Dental procedures can often be linked to heart valve infections, leading many to believe that proper oral hygiene/the flossing of the teeth and gums is important in the prevention of heart valve infections.
Cardibacterium hominis falls into the bacterial category of being a "Gram-Negative Bacilli", thus responds to a treatment of antibiotics commonly used to treat gram-negative bacilli, such as penecillin or penecillin derivatives.
Signs and Symptoms of a Cardiac Infection due to Cardibacterium hominis
- Fever
- Enlargement of the Spleen ("Splenomegaly")
- Blood clots originating in the heart which break off and travel to through the blood stream causing strokes or Trans Ischemic Attacks (TIA's) ("Peripheral embolic phenomenon").
- Red or purples spots on the body ("Petechiae")
- Clubbing of the fingernails.