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Kitamura N, Hoan TT, Do HM, Dao TA, Le LT, Le TTT, Doan TTT, Chau TN, Dinh HT, Iwaki M, Senoh M, Efstraciou A, Ho NM, Pham DM, Dang DA, Toizumi M, Fine P, Do HT, Yoshida LM. Seroepidemiology and Carriage of Diphtheria in Epidemic-Prone Area and Implications for Vaccination Policy, Vietnam. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:70-80. [PMID: 36573549 PMCID: PMC9796191 DOI: 10.3201/eid2901.220975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2019, a community-based, cross-sectional carriage survey and a seroprevalence survey of 1,216 persons 1-55 years of age were conducted in rural Vietnam to investigate the mechanism of diphtheria outbreaks. Seroprevalence was further compared with that of an urban area that had no cases reported for the past decade. Carriage prevalence was 1.4%. The highest prevalence, 4.5%, was observed for children 1-5 years of age. Twenty-seven asymptomatic Coerynebacterium diphtheriae carriers were identified; 9 carriers had tox gene-bearing strains, and 3 had nontoxigenic tox gene-bearing strains. Child malnutrition was associated with low levels of diphtheria toxoid IgG, which might have subsequently increased child carriage prevalence. Different immunity patterns in the 2 populations suggested that the low immunity among children caused by low vaccination coverage increased transmission, resulting in symptomatic infections at school-going age, when vaccine-induced immunity waned most. A school-entry booster dose and improved infant vaccination coverage are recommended to control transmissions.
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2
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Rodrigues J, Pinto M, Brito MJ, Martins JD, Gouveia C. Fever and Limp in a 10-Year-old Girl With Congenital Heart Disease. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2021; 40:1055-1057. [PMID: 33657595 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000003119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Margarida Pinto
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Clinical Pathology, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, CHULC - EPE, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - José Diogo Martins
- Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Hospital de Santa Marta, CHULC - EPE, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina Gouveia
- From the Infectious Diseases Unit, Pediatric Department
- Nova Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Lisbon, Portugal
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3
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Marosevic DV, Berger A, Kahlmeter G, Payer SK, Hörmansdorfer S, Sing A. Antimicrobial susceptibility of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans in Germany 2011-17. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 75:2885-2893. [PMID: 32747952 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diphtheria is mainly caused by diphtheria-toxin-producing strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans. The recommended first-line antibiotic is penicillin or erythromycin, but reliable susceptibility data are scarce. OBJECTIVES To define WT MIC distributions of 12 antimicrobial agents and provide data for the determination of tentative epidemiological cut-off values (TECOFFs) for potentially toxigenic corynebacteria and to evaluate the potential usefulness of a gradient test (Etest) for susceptibility testing of penicillin, erythromycin and clindamycin. METHODS For the 421 human or veterinary isolates from the period 2011-17, MICs of 12 antimicrobial agents were determined. Etest performance was evaluated for penicillin, erythromycin and clindamycin. RESULTS MIC distributions were characterized and TECOFFs could be set for 11 out of 24 antibiotic/species combinations. The current EUCAST clinical breakpoints, predominantly determined for Corynebacterium species other than C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans, divide the WT MIC distributions of penicillin and clindamycin, thereby making reproducible susceptibility testing of C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans difficult. For erythromycin, 4% of C. diphtheriae and 2% of C. ulcerans had MICs higher than those for WT isolates. Phenotypically detectable resistance to other antibiotics was rare. Etest underestimated MICs of penicillin and lower concentrations needed to be included for erythromycin, while for clindamycin the Etest was not a good surrogate method. CONCLUSIONS MIC distributions based on reference broth microdilution for potentially toxigenic Corynebacterium spp. were developed. For five and six agents, TECOFFs were suggested for C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans, respectively, but for Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis the number of isolates was too low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Durdica V Marosevic
- Public Health Microbiology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany.,European Programme for Public Health Microbiology Training (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anja Berger
- Public Health Microbiology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany.,Consultant Laboratory for Diphtheria, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Gunnar Kahlmeter
- Clinical Microbiology and the EUCAST Development Laboratory, Central Hospital, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Sarah Katharina Payer
- Public Health Microbiology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Stefan Hörmansdorfer
- Public Health Microbiology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Sing
- Public Health Microbiology, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany.,Consultant Laboratory for Diphtheria, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
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4
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De-Simone SG, Gomes LR, Napoleão-Pêgo P, Lechuga GC, de Pina JS, da Silva FR. Epitope Mapping of the Diphtheria Toxin and Development of an ELISA-Specific Diagnostic Assay. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:313. [PMID: 33810325 PMCID: PMC8066203 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9040313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The diphtheria toxoid antigen is a major component in pediatric and booster combination vaccines and is known to raise a protective humoral immune response upon vaccination. Although antibodies are considered critical for diphtheria protection, little is known about the antigenic determinants that maintain humoral immunity. Methods: One-hundred and twelve 15 mer peptides covering the entire sequence of diphtheria toxin (DTx) protein were prepared by SPOT synthesis. The immunoreactivity of membrane-bound peptides with sera from mice immunized with a triple DTP vaccine allowed mapping of continuous B-cell epitopes, topological studies, multiantigen peptide (MAP) synthesis, and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) development. Results: Twenty epitopes were identified, with two being in the signal peptide, five in the catalytic domain (CD), seven in the HBFT domain, and five in the receptor-binding domain (RBD). Two 17 mer (CB/Tx-2/12 and CB/DTx-4-13) derived biepitope peptides linked by a Gly-Gly spacer were chemically synthesized. The peptides were used as antigens to coat ELISA plates and assayed with human (huVS) and mice vaccinated sera (miVS) for in vitro diagnosis of diphtheria. The assay proved to be highly sensitive (99.96%) and specific (100%) for huVS and miVS and, when compared with a commercial ELISA test, demonstrated a high performance. Conclusions: Our work displayed the complete picture of the linear B cell IgG response epitope of the DTx responsible for the protective effect and demonstrated sufficient specificity and eligibility for phase IIB studies of some epitopes to develop new and fast diagnostic assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Giovanni De-Simone
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, Biology Institute, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói 24020-141, Brazil
| | - Larissa Rodrigues Gomes
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
| | - Paloma Napoleão-Pêgo
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
| | - Guilherme Curty Lechuga
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
| | - Jorge Soares de Pina
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
| | - Flavio Rocha da Silva
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), National Institute of Science and Technology for Innovation in Neglected Diseases Populations (INCT-IDNP), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.R.G.); (P.N.-P.); (G.C.L.); (J.S.d.P.); (F.R.d.S.)
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5
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Ly TDA, Castaneda S, Hoang VT, Dao TL, Gautret P. Vaccine-preventable diseases other than tuberculosis, and homelessness: A scoping review of the published literature, 1980 to 2020. Vaccine 2021; 39:1205-1224. [PMID: 33509694 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Homelessness may result in the breakdown of regular health services, including routine vaccination programmes. A scoping review was conducted to describe vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) other than tuberculosis in people experiencing homelessness (PEH). METHODS We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). We searched peer-reviewed literature published in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese reporting the outbreak of VPD or VPD prevalence in both infant and adult homeless populations published between 1980 and 2020, using PubMed/Medline, SciELO, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases. Relevant information from the studies was charted in Microsoft Excel and results were summarised using a descriptive analytical method. RESULTS Eighty-one articles were included. A high prevalence of past hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections were observed through serosurveys, mostly in high income countries or high-middle income countries (USA, Canada, France, Iran or Brazil). Ten outbreaks of HAV infection were also reported, with lethality rates ranging from 0 to 4.8%. The studies identified numerous risk factors positively associated with HBV infection, including older age, homosexual or bisexual practice, injected drug use (IDU), and, with HAV infection including IDU, having sexual partner(s) with a history of unspecified hepatitis, insertive anal penetration, or originating from a country with a high prevalence of anti-HAV antibody. Eleven outbreaks of pneumococcal infection affecting PEH were reported in Canada and USA, with lethality rates from 0 to 15.6%. Six diphtheria outbreaks were reported. Vaccination status was rarely documented in these studies. CONCLUSIONS The literature suggests that homeless populations generally experience a high VPD burden suggesting the need for a national vaccination programme and planning for delivering vaccines in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tran Duc Anh Ly
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France; IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | | | - Van Thuan Hoang
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France; IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Family Medicine Department, Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Viet Nam
| | - Thi Loi Dao
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France; IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Pneumology Department, Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Viet Nam
| | - Philippe Gautret
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France; IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
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6
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Dangel A, Berger A, Konrad R, Bischoff H, Sing A. Geographically Diverse Clusters of Nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae Infection, Germany, 2016-2017. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:1239-1245. [PMID: 29912709 PMCID: PMC6038752 DOI: 10.3201/eid2407.172026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
From 2016 through the middle of 2017, the German Consiliary Laboratory on Diphtheria noted an increase in nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolates submitted from cities in northern Germany. Many patients for whom epidemiologic data were available were homeless, alcohol or drug abusers, or both. After performing routine diagnostics and multilocus sequence typing (MLST), we analyzed isolates of sequence type (ST) 8 and previously submitted isolates by whole-genome sequencing. Results were analyzed for phylogenetic relationship by core genome MLST (cg-MLST) and whole-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism profiles. Next-generation sequencing–based cg-MLST revealed several outbreak clusters caused by ST8; the geographic focus was in the metropolitan areas of Hamburg and Berlin. To achieve enhanced analytical depth, we used additional cg-MLST target genes and genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms. We identified patient characteristics and detected transmission events, providing evidence that nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae infection is a potential public health threat in industrialized countries.
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7
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Billard-Pomares T, Rouyer C, Walewski V, Badell-Ocando E, Dumas M, Zumelzu C, Jaureguy F, Brisse S, Caux F, Bouchaud O, Carbonnelle E. Diagnosis in France of a Non-Toxigenic tox Gene-Bearing Strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in a Young Male Back From Senegal. Open Forum Infect Dis 2017; 4:ofw271. [PMID: 28480263 PMCID: PMC5413993 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofw271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous diphtheria is uncommon in Europe. In this study, we report a case of imported cutaneous infection due to a non-toxigenic but tox gene-bearing (NTTB) strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The NTTB strains are recognized as emerging pathogens across Europe, and physicians and bacteriologists should be aware of the circulation of these strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Typhaine Billard-Pomares
- Microbiology Department, Hôpital Avicenne, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Bobigny, France.,Infection, Antimicrobiens, Modélisation, Evolution, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1137, Université Paris 13 - Sorbonne Paris Cité, France
| | - Cécile Rouyer
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hôpital Avicenne, AP-HP, Bobigny, France
| | - Violaine Walewski
- Microbiology Department, Hôpital Avicenne, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Bobigny, France.,Infection, Antimicrobiens, Modélisation, Evolution, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1137, Université Paris 13 - Sorbonne Paris Cité, France
| | - Edgar Badell-Ocando
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae Complex, Paris, France
| | - Marc Dumas
- Dermatology Department, Hôpital Avicenne, AP-HP, Bobigny, France
| | - Coralie Zumelzu
- Dermatology Department, Hôpital Avicenne, AP-HP, Bobigny, France
| | - Françoise Jaureguy
- Microbiology Department, Hôpital Avicenne, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Bobigny, France.,Infection, Antimicrobiens, Modélisation, Evolution, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1137, Université Paris 13 - Sorbonne Paris Cité, France
| | - Sylvain Brisse
- Institut Pasteur, National Reference Center for Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae Complex, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Caux
- Dermatology Department, Hôpital Avicenne, AP-HP, Bobigny, France
| | - Olivier Bouchaud
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hôpital Avicenne, AP-HP, Bobigny, France
| | - Etienne Carbonnelle
- Microbiology Department, Hôpital Avicenne, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Bobigny, France.,Infection, Antimicrobiens, Modélisation, Evolution, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1137, Université Paris 13 - Sorbonne Paris Cité, France
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8
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Pérez-García F, Vasco-Cárdenas MF, Barreiro C. Biotypes analysis of Corynebacterium glutamicum growing in dicarboxylic acids demonstrates the existence of industrially-relevant intra-species variations. J Proteomics 2016; 146:172-83. [PMID: 27371347 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2016.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Production enhancement of industrial microbial products or strains has been traditionally tackled by mutagenesis with chemical methods, irradiation or genetic manipulation. However, the final yield increase must go hand in hand with the resistance increasing against the usual inherent toxicity of the final products. Few studies have been carried out on resistance improvement and even fewer on the initial selection of naturally-generated biotypes, which could decrease the artificial mutagenesis. This fact is vital in the case of GRAS microorganisms as Corynebacterium glutamicum involved in food, feed and cosmetics production.
The characteristic wide diversity and plasticity in terms of their genetic material of Actinobacteria eases the biotypes generation. Thus, differences in morphology, glutamate and lysine production and growth in media supplemented with dicarboxylic acids were analysed in four biotypes of C. glutamicum ATCC 13032. A 2D-DIGE analysis of these biotypes growing with itaconic acid allowed us to define their differences. Thus, an optimized central metabolism and better protection against the generated stress conditions present the CgL biotype as a suitable platform for production of itaconic acid, which is used as a building block (e.g.: acrylic plastic). This analysis highlights the preliminary biotypes screening as a way to reach optimal industrial productions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Pérez-García
- INBIOTEC (Instituto de Biotecnología de León), Parque Científico de León, Avda. Real 1, 24006 León, Spain
| | - María F Vasco-Cárdenas
- INBIOTEC (Instituto de Biotecnología de León), Parque Científico de León, Avda. Real 1, 24006 León, Spain; Área de Microbiología, Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Carlos Barreiro
- INBIOTEC (Instituto de Biotecnología de León), Parque Científico de León, Avda. Real 1, 24006 León, Spain.
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9
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Lake JA, Ehrhardt MJ, Suchi M, Chun RH, Willoughby RE. A Case of Necrotizing Epiglottitis Due to Nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Pediatrics 2015; 136:e242-5. [PMID: 26055849 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2014-3157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Diphtheria is a rare cause of infection in highly vaccinated populations and may not be recognized by modern clinicians. Infections by nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae are emerging. We report the first case of necrotizing epiglottitis secondary to nontoxigenic C diphtheriae. A fully vaccinated child developed fever, poor oral intake, and sore throat and was found to have necrotizing epiglottitis. Necrotizing epiglottitis predominantly occurs in the immunocompromised host. Laboratory evaluation revealed pancytopenia, and bone marrow biopsy was diagnostic for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Clinicians should be aware of aggressive infections that identify immunocompromised patients. This case highlights the features of a reemerging pathogen, C diphtheriae.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew J Ehrhardt
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
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10
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Cutaneous diphtheria: easy to be overlooked. Int J Infect Dis 2015; 33:104-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2015.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Revised: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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11
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Jakovljev A, Steinbakk M, Mengshoel AT, Sagvik E, Brügger-Synnes P, Sakshaug T, Rønning K, Blystad H, Bergh K. Imported toxigenic cutaneous diphtheria in a young male returning from Mozambique to Norway, March 2014. Euro Surveill 2014; 19. [DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2014.19.24.20835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In March 2014 a 20-year-old man was diagnosed with cutaneous diphtheria at St. Olavs University Hospital in Trondheim, Norway on his return from Africa. The man had been in Mozambique since autumn 2013 and had experienced persistent skin ulcer infections. His was in good general health. Toxin-producing Corynebacterium diphtheriae was grown from a wound specimen. He had completed the national childhood vaccination programme and received a diphtheria vaccine booster dose in 2005. Screening of close contacts revealed an asymptomatic person colonised with non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Jakovljev
- Department of Medical microbiology, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - M Steinbakk
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - A T Mengshoel
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - E Sagvik
- Department of Infectious Diseases Control, Municipality of Trondheim, Norway
| | - P Brügger-Synnes
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - K Rønning
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - H Blystad
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - K Bergh
- Department of Medical microbiology, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
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12
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Zakikhany K, Neal S, Efstratiou A. Emergence and molecular characterisation of non-toxigenic tox gene-bearing Corynebacterium diphtheriae biovar mitis in the United Kingdom, 2003–2012. Euro Surveill 2014; 19. [DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2014.19.22.20819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
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Affiliation(s)
- K Zakikhany
- Public Health England, World Health Organisation Global Collaborating Centre for Diphtheria, London, United Kingdom
- Current affiliation: Public Health Institute of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
- The European Programme for Public Health Microbiology Training (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - S Neal
- Public Health England, World Health Organisation Global Collaborating Centre for Diphtheria, London, United Kingdom
| | - A Efstratiou
- Public Health England, World Health Organisation Global Collaborating Centre for Diphtheria, London, United Kingdom
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13
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Heydari H, Siow CC, Tan MF, Jakubovics NS, Wee WY, Mutha NVR, Wong GJ, Ang MY, Yazdi AH, Choo SW. CoryneBase: Corynebacterium genomic resources and analysis tools at your fingertips. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86318. [PMID: 24466021 PMCID: PMC3895029 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 12/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Corynebacteria are used for a wide variety of industrial purposes but some species are associated with human diseases. With increasing number of corynebacterial genomes having been sequenced, comparative analysis of these strains may provide better understanding of their biology, phylogeny, virulence and taxonomy that may lead to the discoveries of beneficial industrial strains or contribute to better management of diseases. To facilitate the ongoing research of corynebacteria, a specialized central repository and analysis platform for the corynebacterial research community is needed to host the fast-growing amount of genomic data and facilitate the analysis of these data. Here we present CoryneBase, a genomic database for Corynebacterium with diverse functionality for the analysis of genomes aimed to provide: (1) annotated genome sequences of Corynebacterium where 165,918 coding sequences and 4,180 RNAs can be found in 27 species; (2) access to comprehensive Corynebacterium data through the use of advanced web technologies for interactive web interfaces; and (3) advanced bioinformatic analysis tools consisting of standard BLAST for homology search, VFDB BLAST for sequence homology search against the Virulence Factor Database (VFDB), Pairwise Genome Comparison (PGC) tool for comparative genomic analysis, and a newly designed Pathogenomics Profiling Tool (PathoProT) for comparative pathogenomic analysis. CoryneBase offers the access of a range of Corynebacterium genomic resources as well as analysis tools for comparative genomics and pathogenomics. It is publicly available at http://corynebacterium.um.edu.my/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Heydari
- Genome Informatics Research Laboratory, HIR Building, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Software Engineering, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Cheuk Chuen Siow
- Genome Informatics Research Laboratory, HIR Building, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mui Fern Tan
- Genome Informatics Research Laboratory, HIR Building, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nick S. Jakubovics
- Centre for Oral Health Research, School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Wei Yee Wee
- Genome Informatics Research Laboratory, HIR Building, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Oral Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Naresh V. R. Mutha
- Genome Informatics Research Laboratory, HIR Building, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Guat Jah Wong
- Genome Informatics Research Laboratory, HIR Building, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Oral Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mia Yang Ang
- Genome Informatics Research Laboratory, HIR Building, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Oral Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Amir Hessam Yazdi
- Genome Informatics Research Laboratory, HIR Building, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Computer System & Technology, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Siew Woh Choo
- Genome Informatics Research Laboratory, HIR Building, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Oral Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- * E-mail:
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14
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Farfour E, Badell E, Dinu S, Guillot S, Guiso N. Microbiological changes and diversity in autochthonous non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolated in France. Clin Microbiol Infect 2013; 19:980-7. [PMID: 23320433 DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2012] [Revised: 11/09/2012] [Accepted: 11/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Autochtonous toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae have disappeared in mainland France, but non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae are still circulating. Using phenotypic and molecular tools, we retrospectively characterized 103 non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae collected in mainland France and highlight several changes. The proportion of C. diphtheriae belfanti increased between 1977 and 2011 and it is the most frequent biotype recovered in recent years. Resistance to ciprofloxacin has increased and most isolates with decreased sensitivity belong to the belfanti biotype. Using multilocus sequence typing, we demonstrate that French isolates are distributed in a large number of sequence types and identify three distinct lineages. C. diphtheriae mitis and gravis form lineage I while C. diphtheriae belfanti forms lineages II and III. Almost all isolates of lineage II are part of a unique clonal complex or are very close to it. Most French isolates have a dtxR sequence homologous to that of toxigenic isolates, suggesting that if lyzogenised by a corynephage, they can express diphtheria toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Farfour
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Prévention et Thérapies Moléculaires des Maladies Humaines, Centre National de Référence des Corynébactéries du Complexe Diphtheriae, Paris, France; CNRS-URA 3012, Paris, France
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15
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Mancini F, Monaco M, Pataracchia M, von Hunolstein C, Pantosti A, Ciervo A. Identification and molecular discrimination of toxigenic and nontoxigenic diphtheria Corynebacterium strains by combined real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2012; 73:111-20. [PMID: 22494559 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2012.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2011] [Revised: 02/24/2012] [Accepted: 02/27/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
With the recognition of several diphtheria outbreaks and the emergence of nontoxigenic corynebacteria strains, there has been renewed interest in the development of laboratory diagnostic methods. Previously reported polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays can have low diagnostic sensitivity or give species misidentifications among clinical isolates. The aim of the present study was the development of combined real-time PCR assays, based on the tox and rpoB genes, for the detection and differentiation of toxigenic and nontoxigenic corynebacteria. By the PCR tox assay, it was possible to perform the direct identification of DT tox gene of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans, while the PCR rpoB assay differentiated C. diphtheriae from C. ulcerans, irrespective of their toxigenic status. In addition, we detected the DT toxin of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis for the first time. These assays revealed high sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility, and the availability of plasmid controls will facilitate further research into the diagnostics of diphtheria corynebacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Mancini
- Department of Infectious Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome, Italy
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16
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Kaushik KS, Kapila K, Praharaj AK. Shooting up: the interface of microbial infections and drug abuse. J Med Microbiol 2011; 60:408-422. [PMID: 21389334 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.027540-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Illicit drug control has been on the global agenda for more than a century. Infections have long been recognized as one of the most serious complications of drug abuse. Drug users are susceptible to pulmonary, endovascular, skin and soft tissue, bone and joint, and sexually transmitted infections caused by a wide range of bacterial, viral, fungal and protozoal pathogens. In addition, injection drug users are at increased risk for parenterally acquired infections such as human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, tetanus and malaria. Factors related to drug use, such as unsterile injection practices, contaminated drug paraphernalia and drug adulterants, increase the exposure to microbial pathogens. Illicit drugs also affect several components of the complex immune system and thus modulate host immunity. In addition, lifestyle practices such as multiple sexual partners, overcrowded housing arrangements and malnutrition serve as co-factors in increasing the risk of infection. In this review we present an overview of the unique aspects of microbial pathogenesis, immune modulation and common infections associated with drug use. We have restricted the definition of drug abuse to the use of illegal drugs (such as opiates, marijuana, cocaine, heroin and amphetamines), not including alcohol and nicotine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karishma S Kaushik
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | - A K Praharaj
- Department of Microbiology, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, India
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17
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Ott L, Höller M, Rheinlaender J, Schäffer TE, Hensel M, Burkovski A. Strain-specific differences in pili formation and the interaction of Corynebacterium diphtheriae with host cells. BMC Microbiol 2010; 10:257. [PMID: 20942914 PMCID: PMC2965157 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-10-257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2010] [Accepted: 10/13/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the causative agent of diphtheria, is well-investigated in respect to toxin production, while little is known about C. diphtheriae factors crucial for colonization of the host. In this study, we investigated strain-specific differences in adhesion, invasion and intracellular survival and analyzed formation of pili in different isolates. RESULTS Adhesion of different C. diphtheriae strains to epithelial cells and invasion of these cells are not strictly coupled processes. Using ultrastructure analyses by atomic force microscopy, significant differences in macromolecular surface structures were found between the investigated C. diphtheriae strains in respect to number and length of pili. Interestingly, adhesion and pili formation are not coupled processes and also no correlation between invasion and pili formation was found. Using RNA hybridization and Western blotting experiments, strain-specific pili expression patterns were observed. None of the studied C. diphtheriae strains had a dramatic detrimental effect on host cell viability as indicated by measurements of transepithelial resistance of Detroit 562 cell monolayers and fluorescence microscopy, leading to the assumption that C. diphtheriae strains might use epithelial cells as an environmental niche supplying protection against antibodies and macrophages. CONCLUSIONS The results obtained suggest that it is necessary to investigate various isolates on a molecular level to understand and to predict the colonization process of different C. diphtheriae strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Ott
- Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Germany
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18
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Corynebacterium diphtheriae invasion-associated protein (DIP1281) is involved in cell surface organization, adhesion and internalization in epithelial cells. BMC Microbiol 2010; 10:2. [PMID: 20051108 PMCID: PMC2827468 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-10-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2009] [Accepted: 01/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the causative agent of diphtheria, is well-investigated in respect to toxin production, while little is known about C. diphtheriae factors crucial for colonization of the host. In this study, we investigated the function of surface-associated protein DIP1281, previously annotated as hypothetical invasion-associated protein. Results Microscopic inspection of DIP1281 mutant strains revealed an increased size of the single cells in combination with an altered less club-like shape and formation of chains of cells rather than the typical V-like division forms or palisades of growing C. diphtheriae cells. Cell viability was not impaired. Immuno-fluorescence microscopy, SDS-PAGE and 2-D PAGE of surface proteins revealed clear differences of wild-type and mutant protein patterns, which were verified by atomic force microscopy. DIP1281 mutant cells were not only altered in shape and surface structure but completely lack the ability to adhere to host cells and consequently invade these. Conclusions Our data indicate that DIP1281 is predominantly involved in the organization of the outer surface protein layer rather than in the separation of the peptidoglycan cell wall of dividing bacteria. The adhesion- and invasion-negative phenotype of corresponding mutant strains is an effect of rearrangements of the outer surface.
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19
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Romney MG, Roscoe DL, Bernard K, Lai S, Efstratiou A, Clarke AM. Emergence of an invasive clone of nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae in the urban poor population of Vancouver, Canada. J Clin Microbiol 2006; 44:1625-9. [PMID: 16672385 PMCID: PMC1479180 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.44.5.1625-1629.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive disease due to Corynebacterium diphtheriae is rare in North America. Here we describe the emergence of a predominant clone of a nontoxigenic strain of C. diphtheriae in the impoverished population of Vancouver's downtown core. This clone has caused significant morbidity and contributed to at least two deaths. Over a 5-year period, seven cases of bacteremia due to C. diphtheriae were detected in patients admitted to Vancouver hospitals. Injection drug use, diabetes mellitus, skin colonization/infection with C. diphtheriae, and homelessness all appeared to be related to the development of bacteremia with the organism. Ribotyping of isolates recovered from blood culture revealed a predominant ribotype pattern that has not previously been reported in North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Romney
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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20
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Puliti M, von Hunolstein C, Marangi M, Bistoni F, Tissi L. Experimental model of infection with non-toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and development of septic arthritis. J Med Microbiol 2006; 55:229-235. [PMID: 16434717 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.46135-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Corynebacterium diphtheriae is a well-known cause of localized respiratory tract infections. However, this micro-organism can also be associated with invasive infections, such as endocarditis, septic arthritis and osteomyelitis. Invasive infections are often caused by non-toxigenic strains. To set up an in vivo experimental model of C. diphtheriae infection, mice were infected intravenously with different doses (ranging from 1×107 to 5×108 bacteria per mouse) of three non-toxigenic strains, namely ISS-4749, ISS-4746 and ISS-3319. Similar mortality rates were observed with the three strains, with an LD50 ranging from 9×107 to 1·2×108. All strains were arthritogenic, although to different extents. ISS-4749 and ISS-4746 infection resulted in a maximum of 60 and 50 %, respectively, of animals with articular lesions, while in the ISS-3319-infected group only 25 % were positive. There were differences in systemic and joint cytokine production in the three experimental groups. ISS-4749- and ISS-4746-infected mice exhibited higher local levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β than ISS-3319-infected animals. At systemic levels, ISS-3319 was able to induce early and sustained production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), but not IL-6. Conversely, infection with the other strains resulted in high IL-6, but not IFN-γ, production. In conclusion, an experimental model of C. diphtheriae infection was set up, with development of septic arthritis. This model could be useful in studies on the pathogenicity and characterization of virulence factors other than toxin production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Puliti
- Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06122 Perugia, Italy
| | - Christina von Hunolstein
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - Maurizio Marangi
- Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06122 Perugia, Italy
| | - Francesco Bistoni
- Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06122 Perugia, Italy
| | - Luciana Tissi
- Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06122 Perugia, Italy
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21
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Dewinter LM, Bernard KA, Romney MG. Human clinical isolates of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans collected in Canada from 1999 to 2003 but not fitting reporting criteria for cases of diphtheria. J Clin Microbiol 2005; 43:3447-9. [PMID: 16000474 PMCID: PMC1169185 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.43.7.3447-3449.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A 5-year collection of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans human clinical isolates yielded nine isolates from blood cultures of patients with invasive infections, stressing the importance of C. diphtheriae as a serious blood-borne pathogen. Seven percent of C. diphtheriae and 100% of C. ulcerans isolates produced diphtheria toxin, demonstrating that toxigenic corynebacteria continue to circulate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne M Dewinter
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, 1015 Arlington St., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3E 3R2.
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22
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Zasada AA, Zaleska M, Podlasin RB, Seferyńska I. The first case of septicemia due to nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae in Poland: case report. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 2005; 4:8. [PMID: 15876349 PMCID: PMC1156865 DOI: 10.1186/1476-0711-4-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2005] [Accepted: 05/05/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae are well known agent of diphtheria. Nontoxigenic strains can cause atypical course of the disease. Invasive diseases caused by C. diphtheriae occur very rare. Case presentation We have described the first case of septicemia and endocarditis due to nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae biotype gravis in Poland. The patient has not belonged to any group of risk such infection. Conclusion The case presented in this article shows unusual case of infection connected with nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae that took place in the area where have been no cases of diphtheria and other C. diphtheriae infections for near ten years. It shows the importance of identifying Corynebacterium isolates at the species level especially when the strain has been isolated from normally sterile sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Anna Zasada
- Department of Bacteriology, National Institute of Hygiene, 24 Chocimska St., 00-791 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maria Zaleska
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, 5 Chocimska St., 00-957 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Ilona Seferyńska
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, 5 Chocimska St., 00-957 Warsaw, Poland
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23
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Bertuccini L, Baldassarri L, von Hunolstein C. Internalization of non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae by cultured human respiratory epithelial cells. Microb Pathog 2004; 37:111-8. [PMID: 15351033 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2004.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2004] [Accepted: 06/10/2004] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Although infection by Corynebacterium diphtheriae is a model of extracellular mucosal pathogenesis, and diphtheria is one of the most worried diseases, this microorganism can be associated also with invasive infections such as endocarditis, septic arthritis, and osteomyelitis. Invasive infections are usually caused by non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae strains. Over the last years severe pharyngitis/tonsillitis associated with the isolation of non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae have been described. Penicillin treatment failure of these infections could only partially be explained by penicillin tolerance of the causing strain. Thus, we examined the in vitro ability of non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae throat clinical isolates to adhere to, and enter human respiratory epithelial cells. Trasmission and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated intracellular C. diphtheriae in laryngeal (HEp-2 cells) and pharyngeal (Detroit D562 cells) tissue culture. Live intracellular bacteria were detectable up to 48 h post-infection. Using a variety of compound that act on eukariotic cell structures, the internalization of C. diphtheriae seems to occur via a zipper-like mechanism. It is likely that internalization of C. diphtheriae can be involved in throat colonization contributing to bacterial eradication failure and asymptomatic carriage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Bertuccini
- Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
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Mattos-Guaraldi AL, Moreira LO, Damasco PV, Hirata Júnior R. Diphtheria remains a threat to health in the developing world: an overview. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2003; 98:987-93. [PMID: 15049077 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762003000800001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in the epidemiology of diphtheria are occurring worldwide. A large proportion of adults in many industrialized and developing countries are now susceptible to diphtheria. Vaccine-induced immunity wanes over time unless periodic booster is given or exposure to toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae occurs. Immunity gap in adults coupled with large numbers of susceptible children creates the potential for new extensive epidemics. Epidemic emergencies may not be long in coming in countries experiencing rapid industrialization or undergoing sociopolitical instability where many of the factors thought to be important in producing epidemic such as mass population movements and difficult hygienic and economic conditions are present. The continuous circulation of toxigenic C. diphtheriae emphasizes the need to be aware of epidemiological features, clinical signs, and symptoms of diphtheria in vaccine era so that cases can be promptly diagnosed and treated, and further public health measures can be taken to contain this serious disease. This overview focused on worldwide data obtained from diphtheria with particular emphasis to main factors leading to recent epidemics, new clinical forms of C. diphtheriae infections, expression of virulence factors, other than toxin production, control strategies, and laboratory diagnosis procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luíza Mattos-Guaraldi
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Av. 28 de Setembro 87, fundos, 3o andar, 20551-030 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
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Abstract
This review presents data on in vitro susceptibilities of aerobically growing Gram-positive rods and in vivo activities of antibiotics used against Gram-positive rods. While in some instances susceptibility and efficacy are predictable (e.g. penicillin vs. Listeria and microaerophilic coryneforms, or metronidazole vs. Gardnerella) susceptibility testing by dilution techniques seems necessary for many Gram-positive rods as long as they are deemed clinically relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- A von Graevenitz
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
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Nolden L, Beckers G, Burkovski A. Nitrogen assimilation in Corynebacterium diphtheriae: pathways and regulatory cascades. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2002; 208:287-93. [PMID: 11959451 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2002.tb11096.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Genes encoding proteins for ammonium uptake, assimilation, and the nitrogen regulatory system in Corynebacterium diphtheriae were studied on basis of homology searches using Corynebacterium glutamicum genes as query sequences. Regulation of transcription of these genes in response to nitrogen starvation was analyzed by RNA hybridization experiments and knock-out mutants were generated to verify the function of distinct genes. In this communication, we were able to identify the key components of ammonium assimilation pathways and nitrogen regulation in C. diphtheriae. Moreover, we show in this study that molecular biology methods and vectors developed for C. glutamicum can be applied in C. diphtheriae. The results obtained strengthens the role of C. glutamicum as a model organism for mycolic acids-containing actinomycetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Nolden
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Cologny, Zülpicher-Str. 47, D-50674 Cologne, Germany
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27
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Mattos-Guaraldi AL, Duarte Formiga LC, Pereira GA. Cell surface components and adhesion in Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Microbes Infect 2000; 2:1507-12. [PMID: 11099937 DOI: 10.1016/s1286-4579(00)01305-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Main primary approaches and new developments in the study of the molecular basis of the adhesive process of Corynebacterium diphtheriae are reviewed along with a discussion of the potential importance of hemagglutinins, exposed sugar residues, hydrophobins and trans-sialidase enzymes as adhesins of strains of the sucrose fermenting and non-fermenting biotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Mattos-Guaraldi
- Disciplina de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, UERJ, Av. 28 de Setembro 87, 3 degrees andar - fundos, Vila Isabel, CEP 20551-030, RJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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28
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Engler KH, Efstratiou A. Rapid enzyme immunoassay for determination of toxigenicity among clinical isolates of corynebacteria. J Clin Microbiol 2000; 38:1385-9. [PMID: 10747112 PMCID: PMC86450 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.38.4.1385-1389.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/1999] [Accepted: 01/17/2000] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A rapid enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was developed for the phenotypic detection of diphtheria toxin among clinical isolates of corynebacteria. The assay uses equine polyclonal antitoxin as the capture antibody and an alkaline phosphatase-labeled monoclonal antibody, specific for fragment A of the toxin molecule, as the detecting antibody. The assay is rapid, sensitive, and specific: a final result is available within 3 h of colony selection, and the limits of detection are 0.1 ng of pure diphtheria toxin/ml. Toxigenicity could be detected with isolates grown on a diverse range of culture media, including selective agars. Toxin detection using the EIA was compared to that with the Elek test and PCR detection of fragment A of the diphtheria toxin (tox) gene, using 245 isolates of corynebacteria. The results for the EIA were in complete concordance with those of the Elek test: 87 toxigenic and 158 nontoxigenic isolates. Ten of the phenotypically nontoxigenic strains were found to contain fragment A of the tox gene but did not express the toxin protein. These isolates were found to be nontoxigenic in the Vero cell tissue culture cytotoxicity assay and were therefore nontoxigenic for diagnostic purposes. The EIA is a simple rapid phenotypic test which provides a definitive result on toxigenicity within one working day.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Engler
- Respiratory and Systemic Infection Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, London NW9 5HT, United Kingdom.
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