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Diphtheria in Belgium: 2010-2017
Helena Martini1, Oriane Soetens1, David Litt2
1Department of Microbiology, National Reference Centre for toxigenic corynebacteria, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
Journal of Medical Microbiology
|August 17, 2019
Summary
Diphtheria remains a concern in Europe despite vaccination. Limited availability of diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) necessitates continued surveillance and improved access to this critical treatment.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
- Public Health
Background:
- Diphtheria incidence is low in Western Europe due to vaccination but not eradicated.
- Toxin-producing Corynebacterium species (C. diphtheriae, C. ulcerans, C. pseudotuberculosis) cause diphtheria.
- Diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) is crucial for treatment but faces availability issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of diphtheria surveillance.
- To address the critical shortage of diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) in Europe.
- To present case data on toxigenic and non-toxigenic Corynebacterium species in Belgium.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of registered cases.
- Inclusion of all toxigenic and non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae, C. ulcerans, and C. pseudotuberculosis cases.
- Data collection from Belgium over a decade (up to 2017).
Main Results:
- Analysis of diphtheria cases in Belgium over the past decade.
- Data illustrates ongoing occurrence of diphtheria despite high vaccination rates.
- Highlights challenges in diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) availability.
Conclusions:
- Continued diphtheria surveillance is essential in Europe.
- Addressing diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) shortages is critical for patient outcomes.
- The study underscores the need for EU-wide solutions for DAT availability.
