Investigation of a Large Diphtheria Outbreak and Cocirculation of Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum Among Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals, 2017-2019.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Diphtheria, a life-threatening respiratory disease, is caused mainly by toxin-producing strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, while nontoxigenic corynebacteria (eg, Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum) rarely causes diphtheria-like illness. Recently, global diphtheria outbreaks have resulted from breakdown of health care infrastructures, particularly in countries experiencing political conflict. This report summarizes a laboratory and epidemiological investigation of a diphtheria outbreak among forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals in Bangladesh.

Methods

Specimens and clinical information were collected from patients presenting at diphtheria treatment centers. Swabs were tested for toxin gene (tox)-bearing C. diphtheriae by real-time polymerase chain reaction (R

SUBMITTER: Weil LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10846527 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature