Published in:
01-10-2016 | Case Report
A case of pharyngeal diphtheria in Germany, June 2015
Published in: Infection | Issue 5/2016
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Background
In June 2015, a 45-year-old man suffering from acute necrotic tonsillitis and throat phlegmon was hospitalized in Nuremberg, Germany. After emergency surgery the patient was initially treated with antibiotics.
Results
A throat swab grew a toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae biovar mitis strain. The patient’s vaccination status was not documented and the patient was tested serologically for anti-diphtheria antibodies showing no protective immunity. Extensive control investigations were performed by the local health department showing no likely source of his infection.
Conclusion
No secondary cases were found and the patient completely recovered.