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Diphtheria carriers in Manchester: simultaneous infection with toxigenic and non-toxigenic mitis strains
Abstract:
A toxigenic strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae mitis was isolated from a 10-week-old baby with membranous tonsillitis, and over the next 6 months thirty-nine symptom-free carriers of nitrate-positive mitis strains were found. All carriers were cleared by 14 days' treatment with erythromycin, though several relapsed after a 5-day course. Four contacts carried both toxigenic and non-toxigenic mitis strains; epidemiological evidence and phage studies suggest that these had a common origin. These findings have implications for the epidemiology of diphtheria and for the routine testing of isolates for toxigenicity.
Insights
A toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae mitis strain caused diphtheria in an infant. Symptom-free carriers were identified and treated with erythromycin, highlighting implications for diphtheria epidemiology and toxigenicity testing.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Diphtheria remains a public health concern, primarily caused by toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
- The mitis biotype of C. diphtheriae is generally considered non-toxigenic, but this study investigated a toxigenic strain.
- Understanding carrier states and transmission is crucial for controlling diphtheria outbreaks.