Severe Pneumonia Caused by Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans Infection, Japan

Emerg Infect Dis. 2018 Mar;24(3):588-591. doi: 10.3201/eid2403.171837.

Abstract

Corynebacterium ulcerans infection was recently recognized as a zoonosis. We present 2 cases of severe pneumonia complicated by diffuse pseudomembrane formation on the bronchus caused by C. ulcerans-producing diphtheria toxin. Our purpose is to alert medical professionals to the virulence of Corynebacterium species other than C. diphtheriae.

Keywords: Corynebacterium ulcerans; Japan; bacteria; diphtheria; pneumonia; pseudomembrane; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers
  • Corynebacterium / classification*
  • Corynebacterium / genetics
  • Corynebacterium Infections / diagnosis*
  • Corynebacterium Infections / drug therapy
  • Corynebacterium Infections / microbiology*
  • Endoscopy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Biomarkers