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Journal article
Zoonotic transmission of diphtheria toxin‐producing Corynebacterium ulcerans
Zoonoses and public health, Early View
2023
PMID: 37957801
Abstract
Background
Diphtheria caused by toxin-producing Corynebacterium ulcerans is a re-emerging human disease that can cause local and systemic sequelae. In Australia, toxigenic diphtheria is a rare notifiable communicable disease, due to high-vaccination coverage. The public health management of cutaneous cases of toxigenic C. ulcerans varies between jurisdictions, as opposed to the more uniform public health response to toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae presenting as respiratory or laryngeal diphtheria.
Aim
To report a case of zoonotically acquired C. ulcerans, review evidence on the zoonotic reservoir and reported transmission events, and examine public health guidelines for the management of human and animal contacts.
Methods and Results
In this case report, we detail our case investigation, treatment and public health management, including contact tracing and an approach to animal testing. We successfully identified companion canines as probable sources for the human case, with WGS confirming the link. The zoonotic disease link of C. ulcerans to domestic and agricultural animals is established in the literature; however, the management of animal contacts in human cases is inconsistent with jurisdictional or national guidelines.
Conclusions
While a rare disease, a consistent approach to public health management is warranted to systematically elucidate the disease source and improve understanding of transmission.
Details
- Title
- Zoonotic transmission of diphtheria toxin‐producing Corynebacterium ulcerans
- Authors/Creators
- Adeline Hillan - North Metropolitan Health ServiceTristan Gibbs - Pathwest Laboratory MedicineGraham Weaire-Buchanan - Pathwest Laboratory MedicineTracy Brown - North Metropolitan Health ServiceStanley Pang - Murdoch UniversitySuzanne P. McEvoy - North Metropolitan Health ServiceErica Parker - North Metropolitan Health Service
- Publication Details
- Zoonoses and public health, Early View
- Publisher
- Wiley-VCH GmbH.
- Identifiers
- 991005616559707891
- Copyright
- © 2023 The Authors
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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