Most common cause of artificial heart valve infection-

Ans. is 'c' i.e., Staph epidermidis o Most common cause of prosthetic valve endocarditis upto 12 months is coagulase - negative staphylococci (staph, epidermidis).Most common causes of infective endocarditiso In native wall - Staphylococcus aureus.o In early prosthetic valve (up to 12 months after valve surgery) - Staphylococcus epidermidis (coagulase negative staphylococcus).o In late prosthetic valve (more than 12 months after valve surgery) - streptococcus viridans.o In IV drug abusers - Staphylococcus aureus.o In patients writh intravenous catheter - coagulase negative staphylococci,o After dental procedure (tooth extraction) - streptococcus mutans.