Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
1993-4-15
pubmed:abstractText
Dramatic reductions in the incidence of diphtheria and high levels of childhood vaccination in recent decades have led the United States to establish the goal of diphtheria elimination among persons < or = 25 years of age by the year 2000. In 1990, an unimmunized 25-month-old child died of respiratory diphtheria in Dade County, Florida, before treatment with diphtheria antitoxin could be instituted. Twenty-three asymptomatic household contacts and other close contacts of the child were identified, cultured for Corynebacterium diphtheriae, given antimicrobial prophylaxis, and vaccinated with diphtheria toxoid when indicated. Three contacts (13%) had pharyngeal cultures positive for toxigenic C. diphtheriae of the same type as that causing infection in the deceased child, but no additional cases developed. Although the source of infection was not determined, three other close contacts had recently been to Haiti, where diphtheria is endemic. A serological survey of 396 children < 5 years of age who received care at a medical center in Dade County revealed that 22% lacked protective immunity to diphtheria. Attainment of the goal of diphtheria elimination among persons < or = 25 years of age--and ultimately among all persons--will depend on the maintenance of a high level of clinical awareness of the disease, the prompt institution of preventive measures among close contacts of patients with sporadic cases, and improved vaccination levels among infants, children, and adults.
pubmed:commentsCorrections
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jan
pubmed:issn
1058-4838
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
16
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
59-68
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1993
pubmed:articleTitle
Fatal respiratory disease due to Corynebacterium diphtheriae: case report and review of guidelines for management, investigation, and control.
pubmed:affiliation
Division of Immunization, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Review, Case Reports