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Emerging Infectious Diseases Jul 2017Epidemiology of diphtheria in the southwestern Indian Ocean is poorly documented. We analyzed 14 cases of infection with toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae reported...
Epidemiology of diphtheria in the southwestern Indian Ocean is poorly documented. We analyzed 14 cases of infection with toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae reported during 2007-2015 in Mayotte, a French department located in this region. Local control of diphtheria is needed to minimize the risk for importation of the bacterium into disease-free areas.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Comoros; Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Diphtheria; Female; History, 21st Century; Humans; Infant; Male; Young Adult
PubMed: 28628446
DOI: 10.3201/eid2307.170262 -
Epidemiology and Infection Nov 2010Diphtheria is an uncommon disease in the UK due to an effective immunization programme; consequently when cases do arise, there can be delays in diagnosis and... (Review)
Review
Diphtheria is an uncommon disease in the UK due to an effective immunization programme; consequently when cases do arise, there can be delays in diagnosis and case-fatality rates remain high. We reviewed 102 patients with infections caused by toxigenic corynebacteria (an average of four per year) reported in the UK between 1986 and 2008: 42 Corynebacterium diphtheriae, 59 C. ulcerans and one C. pseudotuberculosis, as well as 23 asymptomatic carriers. Five fatalities were reported, all in unvaccinated patients. The major risk factor for C. diphtheriae infection continued to be travel to an endemic country. C. ulcerans infections became more common than C. diphtheriae infections in the UK; they were associated with contact with companion animals. The occurrence of indigenous severe C. ulcerans infections and imported C. diphtheriae cases highlights the need to maintain UK routine vaccination coverage at the 95% level in the UK, as recommended by the World Health Organization.
Topics: Corynebacterium; Diphtheria; Diphtheria Toxoid; Humans; Risk Factors; Time Factors; United Kingdom
PubMed: 20696088
DOI: 10.1017/S0950268810001895 -
Ryoikibetsu Shokogun Shirizu 1999
Review
Topics: Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Diagnosis, Differential; Diphtheria; Diphtheria Toxin; Humans; Myocarditis; Polyneuropathies
PubMed: 10088353
DOI: No ID Found -
The Journal of Infectious Diseases Feb 2000Molecular subtyping of Corynebacterium diphtheriae identified significant genetic diversity within the species and led to the identification of a unique clonal group... (Review)
Review
Molecular subtyping of Corynebacterium diphtheriae identified significant genetic diversity within the species and led to the identification of a unique clonal group that emerged in Russia in 1990 at the beginning of the current epidemic. Strains of this group belong to a distinct electrophoretic type complex and are of ribotypes D1 and D4. Identification of the group allowed for precise monitoring of the epidemic's progression and for rapid detection of cases imported to other countries. The evolution of this clonal group was monitored, and changes were identified. Molecular analysis revealed that no amino acid substitutions have occurred in the diphtheria toxin gene of the epidemic clone strains, reaffirming the use of the current vaccine as the single most effective preventive measure. Application of molecular subtyping methods and continuous monitoring of the spread of these clones has made it possible to distinguish rapidly between epidemic, endemic, and imported cases, allowing for implementation of timely and adequate preventive measures and providing reassurance that no secondary spread resulted from importations.
Topics: Bacterial Typing Techniques; Corynebacterium diphtheriae; DNA, Bacterial; Diphtheria; Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Molecular Epidemiology; Russia; Ukraine
PubMed: 10657209
DOI: 10.1086/315556 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Mar 2020During 2015-2018, seven schools in rural Vietnam experienced diphtheria outbreaks. Multilocus sequence types were the same within schools but differed between schools....
During 2015-2018, seven schools in rural Vietnam experienced diphtheria outbreaks. Multilocus sequence types were the same within schools but differed between schools. Low vaccine coverage and crowded dormitories might have contributed to the outbreaks. Authorities should consider administering routine vaccinations and booster doses for students entering the school system.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child Health Services; Child, Preschool; Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Demography; Diphtheria; Disease Outbreaks; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Multilocus Sequence Typing; Schools; Vaccination; Vietnam; Young Adult
PubMed: 32091368
DOI: 10.3201/eid2603.191027 -
Revista de Saude Publica Dec 2011The article is a literature review on the emergence of human infections caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans in many countries including Brazil. Articles in Medline/PubMed... (Review)
Review
The article is a literature review on the emergence of human infections caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans in many countries including Brazil. Articles in Medline/PubMed and SciELO databases published between 1926 and 2011 were reviewed, as well as articles and reports of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. It is presented a fast, cost-effective and easy to perform screening test for the presumptive diagnosis of C. ulcerans and C. diphtheriae infections in most Brazilian public and private laboratories. C. ulcerans spread in many countries and recent isolation of this pathogen in Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil, is a warning to clinicians, veterinarians, and microbiologists on the occurrence of zoonotic diphtheria and C. ulcerans dissemination in urban and rural areas of Brazil and/or Latin America.
Topics: Animals; Brazil; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Corynebacterium; Corynebacterium Infections; Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Diphtheria; Disease Notification; Epidemics; Global Health; Humans; Zoonoses
PubMed: 22124745
DOI: 10.1590/s0034-89102011000600021 -
British Medical Bulletin 1998Diphtheria, one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the past, seemed nearly eliminated from industrialized countries, thanks to improved hygienic... (Review)
Review
Diphtheria, one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the past, seemed nearly eliminated from industrialized countries, thanks to improved hygienic conditions and large scale vaccinations. In 1990, a large epidemic started in Eastern Europe, mainly in Russia and Ukraine, with over 70,000 cases reported within a 5 year period. The main factors leading to the epidemic included low immunization coverage among infants and children, waning immunity to diphtheria among adults, and profound social changes in the former Soviet Union. The possibility of new virulence factors in the epidemic strain has not yet been ruled out. Even though immunity among adults is far from complete in Western Europe, the epidemic did not spread there. The main reason for this might be the good immune status of children and lack of social turbulence favouring the spread of infection. Several countries have also taken preventive measures, which may also have played a role in protection against the potential epidemic.
Topics: Adult; Child; Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Diphtheria; Disease Outbreaks; Humans; USSR
PubMed: 10326290
DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.bmb.a011716 -
Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Dec 2003Changes in the epidemiology of diphtheria are occurring worldwide. A large proportion of adults in many industrialized and developing countries are now susceptible to... (Review)
Review
Changes in the epidemiology of diphtheria are occurring worldwide. A large proportion of adults in many industrialized and developing countries are now susceptible to diphtheria. Vaccine-induced immunity wanes over time unless periodic booster is given or exposure to toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae occurs. Immunity gap in adults coupled with large numbers of susceptible children creates the potential for new extensive epidemics. Epidemic emergencies may not be long in coming in countries experiencing rapid industrialization or undergoing sociopolitical instability where many of the factors thought to be important in producing epidemic such as mass population movements and difficult hygienic and economic conditions are present. The continuous circulation of toxigenic C. diphtheriae emphasizes the need to be aware of epidemiological features, clinical signs, and symptoms of diphtheria in vaccine era so that cases can be promptly diagnosed and treated, and further public health measures can be taken to contain this serious disease. This overview focused on worldwide data obtained from diphtheria with particular emphasis to main factors leading to recent epidemics, new clinical forms of C. diphtheriae infections, expression of virulence factors, other than toxin production, control strategies, and laboratory diagnosis procedures.
Topics: Adult; Child; Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Developing Countries; Diphtheria; Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine; Endemic Diseases; Global Health; Humans
PubMed: 15049077
DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762003000800001 -
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health Mar 2019
Topics: Child; Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Diphtheria; Female; Humans; Skin Diseases; Travel; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 30288824
DOI: 10.1111/jpc.14245 -
The Journal of Hygiene Dec 1972A study of diphtheria in Iran was undertaken during the summer of 1969. Diphtheria was found to be more common among the younger people and to reach its peak 3 months...
A study of diphtheria in Iran was undertaken during the summer of 1969. Diphtheria was found to be more common among the younger people and to reach its peak 3 months after the start of the school term, during the coldest period of the year. Owing to the liberal use of antibiotics a number of modified clinical cases were observed. Of the strains isolated, 89.7% were gravis, 1.3% intermedius and 9% mitis. Phage typing of these strains showed that the mitis and intermedius strains could only be typed by adapted phages and the majority of gravis strains were phage type XIV, which is the epidemic type seen in other countries.As the mass immunization campaign reduces the incidence of diphtheria in Iran, the epidemiological pattern of the disease will change as seen in the U.K. and U.S.A. It is, therefore, suggested that in the future further studies of diphtheria in Iran be undertaken in order to provide us with information about the changing epidemiological pattern of the disease.
Topics: Age Factors; Bacteriophage Typing; Carrier State; Child; Child, Preschool; Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Diphtheria; Humans; Immunization; Iran; Seasons
PubMed: 4630604
DOI: 10.1017/s0022172400022488