A case of fulminant respiratory diphtheria in a 24-year-old Afghan refugee in Austria in May 2022: a case report.

"Declarations Conflict of interestNone of the authors have any competing interests to declare. Ethical approvalBecause of the fulminant and lethal disease course no informed consent could be obtained from the patient. The Austrian immigration authority did not have any contact details from the family or friends, who could neither be informed about the man’s death nor be asked for permission to write a case report. By raising awareness of diphtheria, this case report can help to prevent further cases of respiratory diphtheria with late antitoxin administration. Consent to participateBecause of the fulminant and lethal disease course no informed consent could be obtained from the patient. The Austrian immigration authority did not have any contact details from the family or friends, who could neither be informed about the man’s death nor be asked for permission to write a case report. The case report does not contain any pictures that could identify the patient. The patient’s identity is fully anonymized. Consent for publicationBecause of the fulminant and lethal disease course no consent to publish could be obtained from the patient. The Austrian immigration authority did not have any contact details from the family or friends, who could neither be informed about the man’s death nor be asked for permission to write a case report. The case report does not contain any pictures that could identify the patient. The patient’s identity is fully anonymized. Conflict of interest None of the authors have any competing interests to declare."

"Funding No funding was received for this case report."