Austrian syndrome--autopsy report

A case of the Austrian syndrome in a 23 year-old male, alcoholic and non-vaccinated against pneumococci, is reported. Autopsy study disclosed alcoholic liver disease, endocarditis, meningitis and pneumonia. Pneumococci were observed in the vegetations found in the mitral and aortic valves, in the coronarian septic embolus with acute myocardial infarction, and in the spleen abscess. The authors highlight the need for prevention measures against S. pneumoniae infection in alcoholics, suggesting that clinicians be alert to this infrequent but severe syndrome that bears Austrian's name.