[Neurological manifestation of infectious endocarditis: 14 cases].

Fourteen cases of infective endocarditis revealed by neurological manifestations are reported: 8 strokes (one transient ischemic attack, one regressing and 6 completed strokes), 2 intracranial hematomas (one due to ruptured mycotic aneurysm), 2 toxic encephalopathies, one grand mal seizure, one suppurative meningitis. Most of them were native valve endocarditis, and streptococcus was the most frequently responsible bacteria. The outcome was characterized by a high mortality (6 cases) and morbidity (4 cases). This emphasizes the usefulness of preventing antibiotherapy in patients with known predisposing factors and the necessity for these patients to be admitted in neurological intensive care units.