Final answer:
The empiric treatment for infective endocarditis should target commonly implicated organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species, and Enterococcus species.
Step-by-step explanation:
The empiric treatment for infective endocarditis should target commonly implicated organisms. The most common organisms causing infective endocarditis are Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species, and Enterococcus species.
In cases of community-acquired infective endocarditis, empiric therapy typically includes an anti-staphylococcal agent, such as vancomycin, along with an agent to cover streptococci like ceftriaxone or cefotaxime.
In cases of healthcare-associated infective endocarditis, empiric therapy typically requires broader coverage, including vancomycin or daptomycin plus an agent to cover streptococci and enterococci, such as ceftriaxone or ampicillin.