Clinical, epidemiologic, and microbiologic analyses revealed emergence of 26 cases of Corynebacterium diphtheriae species complex infections on Réunion Island, France, during 2015-2020. Isolates were genetically diverse, indicating circulation and local transmission of several diphtheria sublineages. Clinicians should remain aware of the risk for diphtheria and improve diagnostic methods and patient management.
Keywords: Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Corynebacterium ulcerans; France; Réunion Island; antimicrobial resistance; bacteria; diphtheria; epidemiology; genotyping; respiratory infections; zoonoses.