Diphtheria re-emerges in the unimmunized. (2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anderson, Paul; Solomon, Matthew; Ramlatchan, Sidhartha; Banerjee, Paul; Ganti, Latha
• Is Part Of: IDCases. Volume 23(2020)
• Publication Date: 2021
• Subjects: Diphtheria -- Pharyngitis -- Cervical lymphadenopathy; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Case Reports; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2020.e01020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-2509

Abstract

Abstract: The authors present a case of a 33-year-old African American male with respiratory diphtheria. The patient was initially assumed to have a peritonsillar abscess before various laboratory tests. He complained of dysphagia, throat pain, and shortness of breath. The patient's physical examination, supported by video laryngoscopy imaging and a CT scan, showed swelling of his pharynx. The patient reports that he was recently incarcerated for one year and did not receive immunizations as a child. Following his diagnosis, the patient was treated and subsequently recovered.