[Bacteremic brucellosis in heart patients].

Human brucellosis is an endemic illness in certain areas of Mexico, it is a bacteremic disease, and therefore a potential cause of infective endocarditis. At the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez" we saw 7 cases of brucellosis in the last 10 years. Bacteriological and serological diagnosis were established, all patients had structural heart abnormalities or carried valvular prosthesis. Only one developed infectious endocarditis with echocardiographic evidence and kidney disease due to immune complex deposition. Six patients including those with valvular prosthesis were cured. However, treatment required two drugs during long periods and frequently, addition of imidazoleinmunodulating agent to avoid relapses.