Interactions between the Re-Emerging Pathogen Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Host Cells

Abstract

Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the etiological agent of diphtheria, is a re-emerging pathogen, responsible for several thousand deaths per year. In addition to diphtheria, systemic infections, often by non-toxigenic strains, are increasingly observed. This indicates that besides the well-studied and highly potent diphtheria toxin, various other virulence factors may influence the progression of the infection. This review focuses on the known components of C. diphtheriae responsible for adhesion, invasion, inflammation, and cell death, as well as on the cellular signaling pathways activated upon infection.

Requirement of Peptidyl-Prolyl Cis/Trans isomerases and chaperones for cellular uptake of bacterial AB-type toxins

“…Moreover, case numbers worldwide have been increasing during the last years. Thus, C. diphtheriae is considered to be a re-emerging pathogen ( Ott et al., 2022 ). The current therapy consists of antibiotics in combination with neutralizing antibodies against circulating DT.…”

“…If the inflammation also affects the nasal cavity and larynx, the obstruction of the airways can get more severe resulting in dyspnea, suffocation and death. In severe cases, DT is also distributed via the bloodstream which then can cause myocarditis or neuropathy (Atkinson et al, 2007;Ott et al, 2022). Before the introduction of a vaccination against diphtheria in the 1920s, children were mainly affected by the disease with a high prevalence as well as mortality (English, 1985;Atkinson et al, 2007;Ott et al, 2022).…”

“…In severe cases, DT is also distributed via the bloodstream which then can cause myocarditis or neuropathy (Atkinson et al, 2007;Ott et al, 2022). Before the introduction of a vaccination against diphtheria in the 1920s, children were mainly affected by the disease with a high prevalence as well as mortality (English, 1985;Atkinson et al, 2007;Ott et al, 2022). Despite the availability of a vaccination, diphtheria is not eradicated and outbreaks still occurred recently, for example in Bangladesh, Haiti or South Africa (Clarke et al, 2019;Ott et al, 2022).…”

“…Before the introduction of a vaccination against diphtheria in the 1920s, children were mainly affected by the disease with a high prevalence as well as mortality (English, 1985;Atkinson et al, 2007;Ott et al, 2022). Despite the availability of a vaccination, diphtheria is not eradicated and outbreaks still occurred recently, for example in Bangladesh, Haiti or South Africa (Clarke et al, 2019;Ott et al, 2022). Moreover, case numbers worldwide have been increasing during the last years.…”

Host–Pathogen Interaction 3.0

“…In fact, studies describing bacterium-host interaction were the majority of submissions to the abovementioned Special Issues. Reviews submitted summarize our current knowledge on important pathogens such as Corynebacterium diphtheriae [ 7 ], Staphylococcus aureus [ 8 , 9 ], Legionella species [ 10 ] and Neisseria meningitidis [ 11 ], while research articles highlight specific aspects of host–pathogen interaction. Different mycobacterial pathogens [ 12 , 13 ], Corynebacterium species [ 14 , 15 ], Helicobacter pylori [ 16 ], Mycoplasma fermentans [ 17 ], rickettsiae [ 18 ] and S. enterica [ 19 ] were studied in respect to their interaction with human cell lines.…”