Duke Criteria for Infective Endocarditis
Diagnoses infective endocarditis using major and minor Duke criteria. Guides echocardiography, blood culture interpretation, and empirical antibiotic selection.
Score interpretation
→ IE very unlikely; consider alternative diagnosis; repeat cultures if fever persists; discharge if stable with follow-up
→ Transoesophageal echo (TEE) if TTE negative or prosthetic valve; 3+ blood cultures; cardiology and ID joint review; start empirical antibiotics if clinically unwell (amoxicillin + gentamicin)
→ Definite IE: ID team lead; 6 weeks IV antibiotics (penicillin/vancomycin + gentamicin); cardiac surgery team assessment; early surgery if: HF, uncontrolled infection, abscess, large vegetation; repeat blood cultures daily until negative
Interpretation bands for the Duke Criteria IE. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Methotrexate (Dermatology — Psoriasis) · Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic / Immunosuppressant
- Acetazolamide (Ménière's Disease) · Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor (Diuretic)
- Zinc acetate · Zinc salt (Wilson's disease)
- Sulfasalazine · Aminosalicylate / Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD)
- Hydroxycarbamide (Hydroxyurea) · Cytoreductive agent / Sickle cell disease / CML
- Hydroxycarbamide (Hydroxyurea) · Cytotoxic / Disease-Modifying Agent
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.