<prompt> Most common cause of artificial heart valve infection-Staphylococcus aureusStreptococcus mutansStaph epidermidisPneumococcus  <response>: 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. 