Diphtheria antitoxin 10,000units/10ml solution for injection ampoules

Tetanus remains an important global public health concern. Currently, the only recommended passive immunization therapy for tetanus prophylaxis is plasma-derived human tetanus immunoglobulin (HTIG), which faces a global supply shortage and can transmit infectious pathogens. Despite not being endorsed by WHO due to safety concerns, equine tetanus antitoxin remains widely used in some countries. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 trial to evaluate siltartoxatug-a first-in-class recombinant monoclonal antibody-for tetanus postexposure prophylaxis. Participants (n = 675) were randomized (2:1) to receive a single intramuscular injection of siltartoxatug 10 mg or HTIG 250 IU. The study met its primary outcome, with siltartoxatug demonstrating superiority to HTIG in the proportion of participants with an increase of anti-tetanus neutralizing antibody titers from baseline (ΔTiter) ≥ 0.01 IU ml-1 (95.4% versus 53.2%; intergroup difference 42.3% (95% confidence interval, 35.5-49.1; P < 0.0001)). The safety profiles were comparable, with similar incidence of adverse events between the siltartoxatug (38.2%, 168 of 440) and HTIG (33.9%, 75 of 221) groups. These findings highlight siltartoxatug as an effective and safe option for passive immunization against tetanus. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT05664750 .

Abstract licence: CC BY

Diphtheria cases are still being reported in various parts of the globe. Although complete heart block resulting from diphtheric myocarditis is infrequent, it can lead to fatality. Awareness and recognition of this help strengthen the importance of vaccines and their proper management.Case presentationThe authors report two young patients who presented in the interval of a month, to the emergency department with signs and symptoms of diphtheria. Both developed diphtheric myocarditis with complete heart block and severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction, which did not respond to temporary pacing.DiscussionDiphtheria remains rare but few cases continue to emerge, especially in developing countries. Those who develop it have high mortality, particularly from cardiomyopathy, airway compromise, and organ failure. Conduction abnormalities are diagnostic of diphtheric myocarditis and have a grim prognosis and treatment options are limited.ConclusionDiphtheric myocarditis has a poor prognosis and is an independent predictor of mortality. Since aggressive invasive treatment has not been shown to improve survival, early recognition along with antitoxin at the earliest suspicion and proper supportive care are the current best available options.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC