Clinical Factors Associated with Reinfection versus Relapse in Infective Endocarditis: Prospective Cohort Study

We aimed to identify clinical factors associated with recurrent infective endocarditis (IE) episodes. The characteristics of 2816 consecutive patients definite IE (January 2008–2018) were compared according the development a second episode IE. A total 2152 out 2282 (94.3%) patients, who discharged alive and followed-up for at least first year, presented single IE, whereas 130 (5.7%) recurrence; 70 cases (53.8%) due other microorganisms (reinfection), 60 (46.2%) same microorganism causing episode. Thirty-eight (29.2%), whose recurrence was microorganism, diagnosed during 6 months follow-up considered relapses. Relapses nosocomial (OR: 2.67 (95% CI: 1.37–5.29)), enterococci 3.01 1.51–6.01)), persistent bacteremia 2.37 1.05–5.36)), surgical treatment 0.23 (0.1–0.53)). On hand, episodes reinfection more common in chronic liver disease 3.1 1.65–5.83)) prosthetic 1.71 1.04–2.82)). relapse appear be different. better understanding these would allow effective therapeutic strategies.