What is one of the major criteria for diagnosing infective endocarditis?

A positive echocardiogram finding is indeed one of the major criteria for diagnosing infective endocarditis. In the context of this disease, echocardiography is a crucial diagnostic tool used to visualize the heart valves and assess for vegetations, abscesses, or other cardiac complications associated with the infection. The presence of these abnormalities on echocardiogram can directly indicate endocarditis, supporting the diagnosis when clinical suspicion is high.

The Modified Duke criteria, which encompass both major and minor criteria, are used to establish a diagnosis but are not a standalone criterion. While fever over 100.5°F and blood cultures positive for atypical organisms are important in the context of infection, they do not hold the same weight as a positive echocardiogram in the definitive diagnosis of infective endocarditis. A positive echocardiogram finding can substantiate the clinical diagnosis and provide critical information about the severity of the condition.