ABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Child , Corynebacterium diphtheriae/isolation & purification , Diphtheria/etiology , Endocarditis, Bacterial/microbiology , Fatal Outcome , Humans , MaleSubject(s)
Humans , Infant, Newborn , Infant , Child, Preschool , Child , Diphtheria , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections , Pediatrics , Corynebacterium diphtheriae , Diagnosis, Differential , Diphtheria/diagnosis , Diphtheria/epidemiology , Diphtheria/etiology , Diphtheria/history , Diphtheria/pathology , Diphtheria/therapy , ImmunotherapyABSTRACT
A difteria, embora seja uma das doenças melhor estudadas atualmente, ainda ameaça a populaçao brasileira. A imunizaçao deficiente e a falta de informaçao das equipes médicas em relaçao à sua incidência dificultam o diagnóstico e o tratamento. Os autores discutem a situaçao epidemiológica brasileira e os novos métodos diagnósticos, preciosos e de baixo custo, realizados pelos laboratórios centrais de Saúde Pública.