Clinical Characteristics of Corynebacterium ulcerans Infection, Japan.
Emerg Infect Dis
; 29(8)2023 08.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37486266
ABSTRACT
Corynebacterium ulcerans is a closely related bacterium to the diphtheria bacterium C. diphtheriae, and some C. ulcerans strains produce toxins that are similar to diphtheria toxin. C. ulcerans is widely distributed in the environment and is considered one of the most harmful pathogens to livestock and wildlife. Infection with C. ulcerans can cause respiratory or nonrespiratory symptoms in patients. Recently, the microorganism has been increasingly recognized as an emerging zoonotic agent of diphtheria-like illness in Japan. To clarify the overall clinical characteristics, treatment-related factors, and outcomes of C. ulcerans infection, we analyzed 34 cases of C. ulcerans that occurred in Japan during 2001-2020. During 2010-2020, the incidence rate of C. ulcerans infection increased markedly, and the overall mortality rate was 5.9%. It is recommended that adults be vaccinated with diphtheria toxoid vaccine to prevent the spread of this infection.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
/
Corynebacterium Infections
/
Diphtheria
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
Emerg Infect Dis
Journal subject:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article