What condition is characterized by a bacterial infection of the heart's inner lining?

The condition characterized by a bacterial infection of the heart's inner lining is known as endocarditis. This infection typically affects the endocardium, which is the inner layer of the heart that includes the heart valves. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream and adhere to damaged areas of the heart, leading to inflammation and infection. Symptoms may include fever, heart murmur, fatigue, and signs of systemic embolization, as the bacteria can form vegetations that may dislodge and travel to other regions of the body.

In contrast, myocarditis refers to inflammation of the heart muscle itself, often due to viral infections rather than bacterial infections. Cardiomyopathy is a term that describes diseases of the heart muscle that can affect its size, shape, or ability to pump blood, and these can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic predispositions or long-term alcohol abuse. Pericarditis involves inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac surrounding the heart, which can also lead to chest pain and other symptoms but is not specifically due to a bacterial infection of the inner lining.