Human clinical isolates of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans collected in Canada from 1999 to 2003 but not fitting reporting criteria for cases of diphtheria.
A 5-year collection of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans human clinical isolates yielded nine isolates from blood cultures of patients with invasive infections, stressing the importance of C. diphtheriae as a serious blood-borne pathogen. Seven percent of C. diphtheriae and 100% of C. ulcerans isolates produced diphtheria toxin, demonstrating that toxigenic corynebacteria continue to circulate.
National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3E 3R2. leanne_dewinter@phac-aspc.gc.ca
Leanne M
LM
Dewinter
Kathryn A
KA
Bernard
Marc G
MG
Romney
D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology; D002170:Canada; D003352:Corynebacterium / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D003354:Corynebacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D003353:Corynebacterium diphtheriae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D003470:Culture Media; D004165:Diphtheria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004167:Diphtheria Toxin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018563:Disease Notification; D006801:Humans
D003470:Culture Media; D004167:Diphtheria Toxin