Corynebacterium ulcerans in humans and cattle in North Devon

Abstract

SUMMARYA case of Corynebacterium ulcerans sore throat in a community that drank raw milk from its own farm led to the discovery of another symptomless human infection. Eight cows in the herd were found to be infected and the intermittent pattern of excretion was demonstrated in another cow followed through its lactation. Further evidence of milk infected by C. ulcerans was found by examining all raw milk samples submitted to the laboratory. Two other human cases were diagnosed in Devon during the period of this investigation.

Colonization of human epithelial cell lines by Corynebacterium ulcerans from human and animal sources

“…The range of mammal hosts observed for C. ulcerans is extremely broad and includes cattle, goats, pigs, wild boars, dogs, cats, ground squirrels, otters, camels, monkeys, whales, water rats and others (Pappenheimer, 1977;Olson et al, 1988;Hommez et al, 1999;Bergin et al, 2000;Tejedor et al, 2000;Foster et al, 2002;Morris et al, 2005;Seto et al, 2008;Hogg et al, 2009;Schuhegger et al, 2009;Sykes et al, 2010;Contzen et al, 2011;Hirai-Yuki et al, 2013;Eisenberg et al, 2015). Human infections are rare and have traditionally been reported amongst rural populations with direct contact to domestic livestock or consumption of raw milk and other unpasteurized dairy products (Bostock et al, 1984;Hart, 1984). However, during the last decade, human infections associated with C. ulcerans, e.g.…”

Coryneform bacteria in infectious diseases: clinical and laboratory aspects

“…ukcerans Human infections with C. ulcerans, a domestic animalassociated pathogen, have almost exclusively been cases of pharyngitis (78,160). A recent letter described what was believed to be the first reported human case of pneumonia caused by this organism (190).…”

A paediatric case of lymphadenitis by toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans

“…To the best of our knowledge, only four paediatric cases of C. ulcerans have been described in the literature (Table 1). Unfortunately, detailed descriptions about immunization histories and levels of anti-diphtheria toxoid antibody have been lacking (Hart, 1984;Pers, 1987;Kisely et al, 1994;Public Health England, 2000). Illness occurred in our patient despite the presence of what was considered an adequately protective level of anti-diphtheria toxoid antibody (w0.1 U ml…”