Novel Corynebacterium diphtheriae in domestic cats

Emerg Infect Dis. 2010 Apr;16(4):688-91. doi: 10.3201/eid1604.091107.

Abstract

Novel nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae was isolated from a domestic cat with severe otitis. Contact investigation and carrier study of human and animal contacts yielded 3 additional, identical isolates from cats, although no evidence of zoonotic transmission was identified. Molecular methods distinguished the feline isolates from known C. diphtheriae.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic / microbiology
  • Cat Diseases / microbiology*
  • Cats / microbiology
  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae / genetics
  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae / isolation & purification*
  • Diphtheria / microbiology
  • Diphtheria / veterinary*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Phylogeny
  • West Virginia