Corynebacterium diphtheriae endocarditis in an adult with congenital heart disease: a case report.

Abstract

A rare case of septicaemia and endocarditis due to Corynebacterium diphtheriae is presented. The patient had underlying congenital heart disease and died despite high-dose penicillin therapy. The implications for diagnosis and identification and some public health issues brought to the fore by the case are discussed.