An atypical case of Corynebacterium diphtheriae endocarditis and subsequent outbreak control measures.
An atypical case of Corynebacterium diphtheriae endocarditis with severe rhabdomyolysis and cerebral emboli is presented. The patient underwent successful mitral and aortic valve replacements and is only the third reported case with a successful outcome following surgery. Outbreak control measures were complicated by an equivocal result from guinea pig toxin tests.
Public Health Laboratory, Southampton General Hospital, Hampshire, U.K.
L V
LV
Booth
C
C
Ellis
M C
MC
Wale
S
S
Vyas
J A
JA
Lowes
D000328:Adult; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery; D003353:Corynebacterium diphtheriae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004165:Diphtheria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000150:complications