Diphtheria Toxin-Producing Corynebacterium ramonii in Inner-City Population, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 2019-2023

Emerg Infect Dis. 2025 Feb;31(2):323-327. doi: 10.3201/eid3102.241472. Epub 2024 Jan 7.

Abstract

We conducted patient chart reviews and whole-genome sequencing of wound specimens containing presumptive Corynebacterium ulcerans from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, during July 2019-July 2023. Sequencing confirmed 8/14 isolates were C. ramonii and identified 2 distinct clusters. Molecular methods should be used to clinically differentiate potential toxin-producing Corynebacterium spp.

Keywords: British Columbia; Canada; Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Corynebacterium ramonii; Corynebacterium ulcerans; MALDI-TOF MS; Vancouver; bacteria; cutaneous diphtheria; diphtheria toxin; matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry; next-generation sequencing; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • British Columbia / epidemiology
  • Corynebacterium Infections* / diagnosis
  • Corynebacterium Infections* / epidemiology
  • Corynebacterium Infections* / microbiology
  • Corynebacterium* / classification
  • Corynebacterium* / genetics
  • Corynebacterium* / isolation & purification
  • Diphtheria / epidemiology
  • Diphtheria / microbiology
  • Diphtheria Toxin / biosynthesis
  • Diphtheria Toxin / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phylogeny
  • Urban Population
  • Whole Genome Sequencing

Substances

  • Diphtheria Toxin