Sequence Analysis of Toxin Gene–Bearing Corynebacterium diphtheriae Strains, Australia

Abstract

By conducting a molecular characterization of Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains in Australia, we identified novel sequences, nonfunctional toxin genes, and 5 recent cases of toxigenic cutaneous diphtheria. These findings highlight the importance of extrapharyngeal infections for toxin gene–bearing (functional or not) and non–toxin gene–bearing C. diphtheriae strains. Continued surveillance is recommended.

Keywords

• Diphtheria
• Corynebacterium diphtheriae
• Corynebacterium infections
• diphtheria toxin
• wound infection
• bacterial infections