title: Modified culture technique for Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolation from desiccated swabs.
abstract: Corynebacterium diphtheriae was isolated from pyoderma and ulcerative skin lesions with a modified delayed culture procedure as late as 9 weeks after field collection of silica gel-desiccated swabs. Biotypes gravis and mitis were identified. Most isolates were nontoxigenic. Todd-Hewitt broth enrichment enhanced recovery of C. diphtheriae by 70%.
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D003353:Corynebacterium diphtheriae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003890:Desiccation; D006801:Humans; D011711:Pyoderma / Q000382:microbiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology*; D013020:South America; D013048:Specimen Handling