[A case of diphtheria resulting in death]

A 10 years old girl admitted to the hospital on 7.5.1983. She was sent from Etimesgut Hospital with the preliminary diagnosis of diphtheria bronchopneumonia, and glomerulonephritis. Cultures taken from the throat and nose of the patient yielded toxigenic diphtheria bacilli. Inspite of antitoxin and antibiotic treatment and a tracheostomy the patient died two days later. Diphtheritic membranes occluding larynx and trachea were found at the autopsy. In six out of the nine of the family members the throat cultures were found to be positive for toxigenic C. diphtheriae. The family was visited by a woman who had a bloody nasal discharge and ulcers around her nostrils. Close contacts, including the neighbours and the classmates of the children were checked for diphtheria bacilli and all were found to be negative.