Severe Respiratory Diphtheria-Like Illness Caused by Toxigenic <i>Corynebacterium ulcerans</i>
We report a possible zoonotic case of severe diphtheria-like respiratory illness in Norway caused by a previously unreported toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans sequence type. This case highlights C. ulcerans as an emerging pathogen that can cause life-threatening disease. Clinicians should be aware of C. ulcerans infection, even in regions where diphtheria is rare.
Authors
- Hans Kristian Fløystad
- Kristian Alfsnes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5903-9239)
- Odd Alexander Tellefsen
- Miroslav Boskovic (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2156-147X)
- Terje Skraastad
- Rita Helleren
- Vegard Skogen
- Anne Torunn Mengshoel
Publication Details
- Journal
- Emerging infectious diseases
- Published
- 2026-02-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3202.250908
- Primary Topic
- Diphtheria, Corynebacterium, and Tetanus
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00