The Duke criteria for endocarditis
| Diagnosis is: |
| • definite (by pathology or clinically), possible, or rejected |
| “Definite” clinical diagnosis by: 2 major, 1 major/3 minor or 5 minor criteria (extremely rare) |
| Major criteria: |
| • positive blood culture (⩾ 2) of typical bacteria |
| • vegetation, abscess or prosthesis dehiscence on echo |
| • new valvar regurgitation |
| Minor criteria: |
| • predisposition, fever, embolic/vascular phenomenon, immunologic signs (including glomerular nephritis, rheumatoid factor, Osler nodes, Roth spots), serology consistent with endocarditis, blood cultures compatible but atypical for endocarditis |