Cutaneous diphtheria: three case-reports to discuss determinants of re-emergence in resource-rich settings

Abstract

Diphtheria is a re-emerging disease in resource-rich settings. We here report three cases of cutaneous diphtheria diagnosed and managed in our infectious disease department and discuss the determinants of its re-emergence. Migration, travel and vaccine scepticism are key factors not only for diphtheria re-emergence, but for the future of most preventable diseases.

Keywords

• Diphtheria
• Corynebacterium diphtheriae
• Corynebacterium ulcerans
• emergence
• vaccine scepticism