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[First confirmed case of laryngeal diphtheria in Djibouti]

J L Koeck1, C Merle, F Bimet

  • 1Laboratoire de biologie clinique, Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées du Val de Grâce, 74, boulevard de Port-Royal, 75230 Paris. jlkoeck@filnet.fr

Medecine Tropicale : Revue Du Corps De Sante Colonial
|March 22, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Djibouti reported its first laryngeal diphtheria case in 1998 despite vaccination. Prompt erythromycin treatment aided recovery, highlighting the need for increased vaccination rates and traveler awareness.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The first bacteriologically confirmed case of laryngeal diphtheria in Djibouti occurred in 1998.
  • The affected individual was a three-year-old infant vaccinated with diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, and pertussis vaccine.

Observation:

  • A 3-year-old vaccinated infant presented with laryngeal diphtheria.
  • The patient received three doses of a combined diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, and pertussis vaccine.
  • Clinical improvement was noted following erythromycin treatment.

Findings:

  • Bacteriologically confirmed laryngeal diphtheria occurred in a vaccinated child in Djibouti.
  • Erythromycin demonstrated efficacy in treating this case of laryngeal diphtheria.
  • The case suggests potential gaps in vaccine effectiveness or waning immunity.

Implications:

  • Urgent need to increase and maintain high vaccination coverage in Djibouti.
  • Travelers to Djibouti should be advised on diphtheria immunization requirements.
  • Enhanced epidemiological surveillance is necessary to monitor and control diphtheria outbreaks.

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