Characterisation of Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolates in the Northern Territory of Australia

Abstract

This article summarises our review of 41 Corynebacterium diphtheriae wound swab isolates from the tropical Northern Territory of Australia. On polymerase chain reaction and whole genome sequencing, no isolates were toxigenic strains.

Increasing isolation of non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae in Aotearoa New Zealand

“…Of 41 isolates tested, none were toxigenic. 8 Overall there is variation in the reports across Australia.…”

“…These are likely to be travel-related, particularly to tropical Australia and Pacific Island Countries and Territories. 7,8,12,13 Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion in patients returning from tropical regions with chronic skin lesions and provide a documented travel history to inform laboratory scientists of the potential for uncommon pathogens such as C. diphtheriae.…”