DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i05.039

Pages: 1907-1910

Diphtheria is a potentially fatal infectious disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Though incidence and mortality rate have reduced significantly after widespread immunization practices, cases and outbreaks continue to exist owing to deficiency in vaccination strategies and existence of mutations / variant epidemic clones of C. diphtheria. High immunization coverage of target groups, prompt diagnosis and management of diphtheria cases are very essential to reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by diphtheria. The present study was conducted to assess the clinico-microbiological profile of diphtheria cases presented to our institute. The institutional data from the years 2015-16 was analyzed retrospectively. This study showed twelve cases of diphtheria with a case fatality rate of 25%. Our study indicates that persistence of diphtheria in our area despite implementation of vaccination programs and necessitates continuous surveillance along with improvement of vaccination strategies.