ID:IOTS - Infectious Disease Insight Of Two Specialists 15. Corynebacterium: Dip into Diphtheria
Feb 7, 2022
Jame and Callum dive into the intriguing world of Corynebacterium, shedding light on the differences between diphtheroids and diphtheria. They discuss the historical impact of diphtheria, its pathogenic mechanisms, and the importance of vaccinations. The hosts explore lab techniques for identifying diphtheriae and delve into treatments for infections in vulnerable patients, emphasizing the complications of antibiotic resistance. Real patient experiences add depth to their analysis of diphtheria treatment and the challenges surrounding antitoxin availability.
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Two Distinct Corynebacterium Groups
- Corynebacterium divides into lipophilic skin colonisers and non-lipophilic respiratory species that cause diphtheria.
- Only a few species (C. diphtheriae, C. ulcerans, C. pseudotuberculosis) drive the severe toxin-mediated disease.
Treat Diphtheroids As Likely Contaminants
- Assume most diphtheroids are low-virulence contaminants unless the clinical context suggests an opportunistic infection.
- Maintain a high index of suspicion in immunocompromised patients or prosthetic/sterile-site infections.
Diphtheria Is Rare Locally But Global
- Diphtheria remains globally present and historically caused heavy childhood mortality before vaccines.
- It still causes thousands of reported cases yearly and can spark large outbreaks in under-immunised populations.