Emergence of related nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae biotype mitis strains in Western Europe

Emerg Infect Dis. 1999 May-Jun;5(3):477-80. doi: 10.3201/eid0503.990326.

Abstract

We report on 17 isolates of Corynebacterium diphtheriae biotype mitis with related ribotypes from Switzerland, Germany, and France. Isolates came from skin and subcutaneous infections of injecting drug users, homeless persons, prisoners, and elderly orthopedic patients with joint prostheses or primary joint infections. Such isolates had only been observed in Switzerland.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bacterial Typing Techniques*
  • Child
  • Corynebacterium Infections / epidemiology
  • Corynebacterium Infections / microbiology*
  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae / classification*
  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae / genetics*
  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae / isolation & purification
  • Deoxyribonuclease EcoRI / metabolism
  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Humans
  • Joint Diseases / microbiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / microbiology
  • RNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Restriction Mapping
  • Skin Ulcer / microbiology
  • Wound Infection / microbiology

Substances

  • RNA, Ribosomal
  • Deoxyribonuclease EcoRI