Diphtheritic myocarditis: A case series and review of literature

Abstract

Myocarditis in patients with diphtheria is a toxin-mediated complication that sets in after one week of onset of respiratory illness. Early administration of antidiphtheritic serum in patients with clinical diphtheria before the onset of myocarditis is of utmost importance to prevent this fatal complication. We report three patients who presented late in illness after the myocarditis had set in, to stress on the need of prompt administration of antitoxins by primary care physicians and highlight the importance of immunization.

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