An atypical case of case of corynebacterium diphtheriae endocarditis and subsequent outbreak control measures

An atypical case of Corynebacterium diphtheriae endocarditis with severe rhabdomyolysis and cerebral emboli is presented. The patient underwent successful mitral and aortic valve replacements and is only the third reported case with a successful outcome following surgery. Outbreak control measures were complicated by an equivocal result from guinea pig toxin tests.