Laboratory surveillance of Diphtheria outbreak

Abstract

Diphtheria surveillance was performed among people who were suspected or closed-contract with diphtheria disease cases in the responsible areas of Regional Medical Science Center, 7^th Khon Kaen. The aim had to establish the diphtheria epidemic data in outbreak time. This study stated to collect patient data from the disease report forms that attracted with specimens. Specimens were collected from outbreak areas and transported to laboratory at Regional Medical Science Center, 7^th Khon Kaen. Diphtheriae was detected by cultural method. The patient data and cultivation results were determined by descriptive statistics. The specimens 306 samples were transported from 4 provinces included 174 samples of Mahasarakam (56.9%), 94 samples of Khonkean (30.7%), 28 samples of Sakonnakorn (9.2%) and 10 samples of Roiet (3.3%). These specimens composed of 303 throat swabs (99%) and 3 colony samples of C. diphtheriae (1%), and were classified in to female group 188 samples (61.4%) and male group 118 samples (38.6%).  Results of cultural method found that 4 samples were positive, only one of all positive samples was toxin positive. Indeed, all of positive samples were collected from children between 9-12 years old. These results indicated that diphtheria is currently communicable disease in these areas, Immunization program is necessary for people, especially in children. Diphtheria surveillance by laboratory network is a part of tools to defines epidemic data for efficiency disease control and prevention.