A difficult case of Austrian syndrome: a case report

TL;DR

A rare and deadly condition called Austrian syndrome is reported, highlighting the importance of early detection due to its high mortality rate.

Contribution

This case report emphasizes the late presentation of endocarditis in Austrian syndrome, which is not commonly highlighted in existing literature.

Findings

A 59-year-old woman survived Austrian syndrome despite a late diagnosis of endocarditis.

Endocarditis may present late in Austrian syndrome, requiring continued vigilance even after initial improvement.

Early detection and treatment are critical to improving survival rates in Austrian syndrome.

Abstract

The Austrian syndrome is a rare but malignant triad consisting of pneumonia, meningitis, and endocarditis caused by an invasive pneumococcal infection, with a mortality rate of approximately 32%, rising to over 60% if not diagnosed early. Most of the knowledge about this rare disease comes from case reports. The uniqueness of this case lies in the late presentation of endocarditis.

A 59-year-old woman with a medical history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, hypothyroidism, and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis was admitted to our hospital with meningitis and pneumonia with bacteremia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. After receiving antibiotic treatment, the patient improved, and an echocardiogram was performed, ruling out endocarditis. She was discharged and readmitted three weeks later due to endocarditis with an acute perforation of the aortic valve, which required urgent surgery. Fortunately, the patient survived.

In cases of invasive pneumococcal disease with involvement of more than one focus, the possibility of developing infective endocarditis should be considered, especially in cases of hemodynamic instability or heart failure. The Austrian syndrome is a triad that should not be overlooked due to its high mortality rate, especially the possibility of the late onset of endocarditis.

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