Subacute infective endocarditis caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae: a case report.

The authors report an 11-year-old boy with septicemia and subacute infective endocarditis due to toxigenic-Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The patient had underlying congenital heart disease and incomplete immunization. He presented with fever, epistaxis and congestive heart failure. He received high-dose penicillin therapy and diphtheria antitoxin with clinical improvement. While he was receiving a high dose of penicillin for 1 month he developed a generalized tonic clonic seizure. A computerized tomogram revealed intracerebral and ventricular hemorrhage. Craniotomy with blood clot removal and ventriculostomy drainage were done. He died 2 days later from brain death and cardiovascular failure.