An International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Clinics

Register      Login

VOLUME 13 , ISSUE 3 ( September-December, 2021 ) > List of Articles

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Clinical Profile and Predictors of Outcome in Patients with Diphtheria in a Tertiary Care Center

Lovneesh Kumar, Sampan S Bist, Gunjan Dhasmana, Alpa Gupta, Vinish K Agarwal, Swati Pant

Keywords : Albert stain, Antidiphtheric serum, Diphtheria, Immunization, Membrane over tonsil, Suspected diphtheria

Citation Information : Kumar L, Bist SS, Dhasmana G, Gupta A, Agarwal VK, Pant S. Clinical Profile and Predictors of Outcome in Patients with Diphtheria in a Tertiary Care Center. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Clin 2021; 13 (3):77-81.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10003-1398

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 21-04-2022

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2021; The Author(s).


Abstract

Introduction: Diphtheria, a potentially fatal upper airway infection, caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, still continues to be significant cause of morbidity and mortality in India, despite extensive immunization. Aims and objectives: This article aims to generate information about the clinical profile of patient of diphtheria in present times, assess association between immunization and severity of the disease and evaluate predictors that affect final outcome of the disease. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study from June 2017 to June 2020 at a tertiary care teaching hospital. The relevant data of 33 cases who were either suspected or confirmed cases of diphtheria, were analyzed with respect to demographic details, clinical features, immunization status, treatment provided, complications, and final outcome. Results: Out of 33 cases, 72.7% were of age more than 5 years. Eighteen (55%) were nonimmunized, 10 (30%) were partially immunized, and 5 (15%) were immunized. The clinical features included fever, throat pain in all cases, membrane over tonsil in 93.7%, and bull neck in 78.1% cases. Albert stain was positive in 20 (60.6%) cases. Antidiphtheric serum (ADS) was given in 28 out of which 18 cases (64.3%) survived. Five cases did not receive ADS and out of these two (40%) survived. Case fatality rate was 55% in nonimmunized, 30% in partially immunized, and nil in immunized group. Overall, case fatality rate was 42.4%, and survival rate was 57.6%. Conclusion: As disease nowadays is affecting older children more, awareness about booster doses is required. Complete immunization, early ADS therapy irrespective of result of Albert stain, helps to decrease complications and improve survival.


HTML PDF Share
  1. Meera M, Rajarao M. Diphtheria in Andhra Pradesh–a clinical-epidemiological study. Int J Infect Dis 2014;19:74–78. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2013.10.017.
  2. Tsinzerling AV, Sizemov AN, Miasnikova TI, et al. Tonsils in diphtheriae and the Corynebacterium diphtheriae carrier state, Arkh Patol 1980;42(8):75–80. PMID: 7406725.
  3. Begg N. Diptheria-manual for the management and control of diphtheria in the European region. Copenhagen: WHO Publication; 1994.
  4. Ghai OP. Essential pediatrics. 9th ed. New Delhi, India: CBS Publishers and Distributers Private Limited; 2019. p. 236–237.
  5. Atkinson W. Epidemiology and prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2006.
  6. Verghese MJ, Ramakrishnan S, Kothari SS, et al. Complete heart block due to diptheric myocarditis in the present era. Ann Pediatr Cardiol 2013;6(1):34–38. DOI: 10.4103/0974-2069.107231.
  7. Government of India. Annual report 2012. India: Ministry of Health; 2012.
  8. Park K. Park's textbook of preventive and social medicine. 25th ed. Madhya Pradesh, India: Bhanot Publishers; 2019. p. 134–135 [NIS, immunization].
  9. Central Bureau of Health Intelligence, Directorate General of Health Services, Government of India. National Health Profiles; 2011. Available from: http://www.cbhidghs.nic.in/index1.asp/linked=267 [Last accessed on December 31, 2016].
  10. World Health Organisation. Vaccine preventable diseases: monitoring system 2016 global summary. Updated on March 3, 2017. Available from: http.//www.who.int.tsincidencediptheria.com [Accessed on March 27, 2017].
  11. United Nations International Children's Fund. Immunisation report. Available from: www.unicef.in/whatwedo/3/immunisation [Accessed on March 27, 2017].
  12. Park K. Park's textbook of preventive and social medicine. 16th ed. Madhya Pradesh, India: Bhanot Publishers; 2000. p. 125–128 [early diagnosis reduces morbidity].
  13. World Health Organisation vaccine preventable diseases surveillance standards. 2018.
  14. Basavaraja GV, Chebbi PG, Joshi S. Resurgence of diphtheria: clinical profile and outcome—a retrospective observational study. Int J Contemp Pediatr 2016;3(1):60–63. DOI: 10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20160058.
  15. Bandichhode ST, Jatti GM, Anita MS, et al. A clinical study of diphtheria cases in a pediatric population in tertiary care hospital in western Maharashtra. Indian J Child Health 2016;3(3):251–253. DOI: 10.32677/IJCH.2016.v03.i03.018.
  16. Meshram RM, Patil A. Clinical profile and outcome of diphtheria in central India: a retrospective observational study. Int J Contemp Pediatr 2018;5(4):1600–1605. DOI: 10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20182572.
  17. Maheriya KM, Pathak GH, Chauhan AV, et al. Clinical and epidemiological profile of diphtheria in tertiary care hospital. Gujarat Med J 2014;89(2):105–108.
  18. Ujwal MV, Pol RR, Vanaki R, et al. Resurgence of diphtheria in rural north Karnataka: clinical profile and outcome. Int J Med Paediatr Oncol 2019;5(1):17–20. DOI: 10.18231/j.ijmpo.2019.004.
  19. Jayshri M, Shruti N, Singhi S. Predictors of outcome in patients with diphtheria receiving intensive care. Indian Pediatr 2006;43:236–238. PMID: 16528112.
  20. Singh SN, Singh A, Chandra S. Clinical profile and predictors of poor outcome of hospitalized diphtheria cases in children from Lucknow region of North India. Clin Epidemiol Global Health 2014;2(2):75–79. DOI: 10.1016/j.cegh.2012.11.005.
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.