M T Traugott1, S Pleininger2, S Inschlag-Tisch3, B Eder4, T Seitz4, A Merrelaar4, J Reiß-Kornfehl5, J Fussi3, S Schindler2, M Blaschitz2, F Heger2, A Indra2, M Karolyi4, M Staudacher4, T Oelschlaegel4, W Hoepler4, S Neuhold4, C Wenisch4. 1. IV Medical Department with Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Clinic Favoriten, Kundratstraße 3, 1100, Vienna, Austria. Marianna.traugott@gesundheitsverbund.at. 2. Austrian Reference Centre for Diphtheria, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Vienna, Austria. 3. Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Nephrology, Hospital of Wiener Neustadt, Wiener Neustadt, Austria. 4. IV Medical Department with Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Clinic Favoriten, Kundratstraße 3, 1100, Vienna, Austria. 5. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital of Wiener Neustadt, Wiener Neustadt, Austria.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Raising awareness of respiratory diphtheria and for the importance of early antitoxin administration. METHODS: Report of a case of fulminant, imported respiratory diphtheria in an otherwise healthy 24-year-old Afghan refugee in Austria in May 2022. RESULT: This was the first case of respiratory diphtheria in Austria since 1993. Diphtheria antitoxin was administered at an already progressed disease stage. This delay contributed to a fulminant disease course with multiorgan failure and death. CONCLUSION: In high-income countries with low case numbers, awareness of respiratory diphtheria and for the importance of early antitoxin administration must be raised.
PURPOSE: Raising awareness of respiratory diphtheria and for the importance of early antitoxin administration. METHODS: Report of a case of fulminant, imported respiratory diphtheria in an otherwise healthy 24-year-old Afghan refugee in Austria in May 2022. RESULT: This was the first case of respiratory diphtheria in Austria since 1993. Diphtheria antitoxin was administered at an already progressed disease stage. This delay contributed to a fulminant disease course with multiorgan failure and death. CONCLUSION: In high-income countries with low case numbers, awareness of respiratory diphtheria and for the importance of early antitoxin administration must be raised.