Frontiers in Medicine (Jan 2023)

Cardiac arrest associated with non-toxigenic corynebacterium diphtheria strain: A case report

  • George V. Alvarez,
  • Deborah D. Rupert,
  • Samantha Sinclair,
  • Santiago J. Miyara,
  • Santiago J. Miyara,
  • Sara Guevara,
  • Peter Shih,
  • Cynthia Hoey

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.1003193
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Here we document a rare, acute, infection caused by non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae and the resulting unique and severe clinical sequelae. Our patient was a young man with no known pre-existing conditions that presented in cardiopulmonary arrest. We contrast this case with prior instances of non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae strain infection in the United States and summarize the literature that suggests systemic infection can result in cardiogenic toxicity. We speculate on a possible missed, pre-existing condition that could have increased this patient’s susceptibility to poor clinical outcome.

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