Non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae in hallux ulceration

Authors

  • Gauthier Delvallez Medical Biology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • Edgar Badell Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
  • Sokleaph Cheng Medical Biology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • Soda Meng Medical Biology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • Vivandet Tong Mercy Medical Center Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • Judy Norman Mercy Medical Center Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • Julie Toubiana Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France
  • Koen Vandelannoote Medical Biology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • Anne-Laure Bañuls LMI Drug Resistance in South East Asia, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • Mallorie Hide Medical Biology Laboratory, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • Sylvain Brisse Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens, Paris, France

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.16153

Keywords:

Cambodia, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, hallux ulceration

Abstract

Introduction: Toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae causes classical diphtheria. Skin infections by toxigenic or non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae are prevalent in the tropics but are rarely reported.

Case presentation: We report the identification of a non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae (biovar Gravis) isolate in a 52-year-old Cambodian male. The patient presented purulent and non-healing ulcerations on the right hallux. The wound has healed after 7 days of antibiotic therapy with a favourable outcome.

Conclusions: This case represents, to our knowledge, the first report of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in Cambodia in the last 10 years, and highlights the lack of diagnosis and notifications of diphtheria. It is important to raise awareness among clinicians and to set up diphtheria surveillance in Cambodia.

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Published

2022-06-30

How to Cite

1.
Delvallez G, Badell E, Cheng S, Meng S, Tong V, Norman J, Toubiana J, Vandelannoote K, Bañuls A-L, Hide M, Brisse S (2022) Non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae in hallux ulceration. J Infect Dev Ctries 16:1118–1121. doi: 10.3855/jidc.16153

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 06: June 2022

Section

Case Reports

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