Triad of Terror: Rapidly Progressive Austrian Syndrome in a 62-Year-Old Female

Abstract

We report a case of a 62-year-old female presenting with shortness of breath, who was subsequently diagnosed with Austrian syndrome. The patient had a complicated clinical course, including invasive central nervous system pneumococcal disease, pneumococcal bacteremia, and mitral valve vegetation with possible leaflet perforation. Despite aggressive treatment, her condition continued to worsen. We will discuss the clinical features of this disease, approaches to diagnosis and treatment, and outcomes in light of this rare condition.

Keywords: Austrian syndrome; Streptococcus pneumoniae; meningitis; nfective endocarditis; pneumococcal vaccination.