INITIAL CLINICAL DETAILS FOR ANTHRAX CASE 23  



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Last Updated

09 Jan 2003

    Source: Update: Investigation of Bioterrorism-Related Inhalational Anthrax --Connecticut, 2001. MMWR 50(47);1029-1031 (November 30, 2001)

On November 16, a 94-year old woman who resided in Oxford, CT (2000 population: 9821), presented to a local hospital with fever, cough, weakness, and muscle aches of approximately 3 days' duration. She had no history of chills, headache, rhinorrhea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal or chest pain. She had a medical history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, and renal insufficiency. On admission, the patient had a temperature of 102.3 F (39.1 C) with an elevated heart rate and room air oxygen saturation of 93%. Physical examination was otherwise unremarkable. Initial chest radiograph had no evidence of pulmonary infiltrate, pleural effusion, or widened mediastinum. Her white blood cell count was 8,100 cells/mm3 (78% neutrophils, 15% lymphocytes). Hematocrit, platelet count, and electrolytes were normal. Blood and urine cultures were obtained and the patient was admitted for dehydration and possible urinary tract infection.

On November 17, gram positive rods were noted on microscopic evaluation of the blood culture and gram negative rods were isolated from the urine. Antibiotic therapy was initiated for possible sepsis with vancomycin and ceftazidime, and changed to ampicillin/sulbactam and oral ciprofloxicin later that day. On November 18, the patient had progressive respiratory distress and confusion. Repeat chest radiograph revealed a left-sided pleural effusion and possible infiltrate but no mediastinal widening. A chest CT was not performed. Thoracentesis performed the following day obtained 800 ml of serosanguinous fluid with 4,224 red blood cells and 1,463 white blood cells. On November 19, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit and required mechanical ventilation and vasopressor support. Clindamycin was added to her antibiotic regimen, and ciprofloxicin was changed to intravenous administration. The patient's condition deteriorated, and she died on November 21.

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