Imported Toxigenic Corynebacterium Diphtheriae in Refugees with Polymicrobial Skin Infections, Germany, 2022

• Published in: Emerging infectious diseases Vol. 29; no. 10; pp. 2112 - 2115
• Main Authors: Spielberger, Benedikt Daniel, Hansel, Anna, Nazary, Alea, Kleissle, Eva- Maria, Lehr, Claus-Georg, Utz, Marcel, Hofer, Juliana, Rieg, Siegbert, Kern, Winfried V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Atlanta U.S. National Center for Infectious Diseases 01-10-2023; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Subjects: Asymptomatic; bacteria; Bacterial proteins; Care and treatment; cutaneous diphtheria; Diagnosis; Diphtheria; Disease; Dispatch; Epidemics; Health aspects; Imported Toxigenic; in Refugees with Polymicrobial Skin Infections, Germany, 2022; Infection; International trade; Methicillin; Outpatient care facilities; Pediatrics; Penicillin; refugee; Refugees; Respiratory tract diseases; Resveratrol; Skin; Skin diseases; skin infection; Staphylococcus infections; toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheria; Toxins; Vaccines; Whooping cough; Germany; Afghanistan; Morocco; Europe; Syria
• ISSN: 1080-6040; 1080-6059
• DOI: 10.3201/eid2910.230285

During August–December 2022, toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae was isolated from 25 refugees with skin infections and 2 refugees with asymptomatic throat colonization at a refugee reception center in Germany. None had systemic toxin-mediated illness. Of erosive/ulcerative skin infections, 96% were polymicrobial. Erosive/ulcerative wounds in refugees should undergo testing to rule out cutaneous diphtheria.