Endocarditis & Prophylaxis; Infectious GI Diseases (2026 IMCU)

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize Common Etiologies: Identify the most common bacterial, viral, and parasitic causes of gastrointestinal infections and their distinguishing clinical features.
• Understand Diagnostic Approaches: Outline the appropriate diagnostic tools, including stool studies, PCR testing, and imaging, to confirm the etiology of GI infections.
• Develop Treatment Strategies: Formulate evidence-based management plans, including supportive care, antibiotic use, and specific therapies for conditions like C. difficile colitis. Emphasize Prevention: Highlight key prevention strategies such as vaccination, food safety practices, and infection control measures to reduce the incidence of GI infectious diseases. List the most common causative organisms of infective endocarditis (IE) and their clinical associations. Apply the Modified Duke Criteria to classify a case as "definite," "possible," or "rejected" IE. Identify patients and procedures that warrant antibiotic prophylaxis for lE, per current guidelines (AHA/ACC, ESC). Prescribe the correct antibiotic regimen for IE prophylaxis based on patient allergies and procedure type.