Editing Infective endocarditis (section)

=== Valve type ===
Finally, the distinction between ''native-valve endocarditis'' and ''prosthetic-valve endocarditis'' is clinically important. Prosthetic valve endocarditis can be early (within 1 year of surgery) or late (> 1 year following valvular surgery).<ref name="auto"/>
* Early prosthetic valve endocarditis is usually due to intraoperative contamination or postoperative bacterial contamination which is usually [[nosocomial]] in nature.
* Late prosthetic valve endocarditis is usually due to community-acquired microorganisms.<ref name=Harrison/>

Prosthetic valve endocarditis is commonly caused by ''[[Staphylococcus epidermidis]]'' as it is capable of growing as a [[biofilm]] on plastic surfaces.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Otto M | title = Staphylococcus epidermidis--the 'accidental' pathogen | journal = Nature Reviews. Microbiology | volume = 7 | issue = 8 | pages = 555–67 | date = August 2009 | pmid = 19609257 | pmc = 2807625 | doi = 10.1038/nrmicro2182 }}</ref> ''Cutibacterium acnes''  almost exclusively causes endocarditis on prosthetic heart valves.<ref name = "Sohail_2009" />