# Severe Respiratory Diphtheria-Like Illness Caused by Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans **Authors:** Rita Helleren, Hans Kristian Fløystad, Odd Alexander Tellefsen, Miroslav Boskovic, Terje Skraastad, Anne Torunn Mengshoel, Kristian Alfsnes, Vegard Skogen PMC · DOI: 10.3201/eid3202.250908 · Emerging Infectious Diseases · 2026-02-01 ## TL;DR A severe diphtheria-like illness in Norway was caused by a new type of Corynebacterium ulcerans, highlighting it as an emerging threat. ## Contribution A previously unreported toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans sequence type is identified as a cause of severe respiratory illness. ## Key findings - A zoonotic case of severe diphtheria-like illness was caused by a new C. ulcerans sequence type. - C. ulcerans is emerging as a pathogen capable of causing life-threatening disease. ## Abstract We report a possible zoonotic case of severe diphtheria-like respiratory illness in Norway caused by a previously unreported toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans sequence type. This case highlights C. ulcerans as an emerging pathogen that can cause life-threatening disease. Clinicians should be aware of C. ulcerans infection, even in regions where diphtheria is rare. ## Linked entities - **Diseases:** diphtheria (MONDO:0005504) - **Species:** Corynebacterium ulcerans (taxon 65058) ## Full-text entities - **Diseases:** skin disease (MESH:D012871), coronary disease (MESH:D003327), Respiratory Diphtheria-Like Illness (MESH:D012140), pulmonary disease (MESH:D008171), polyneuropathy (MESH:D011115), cancer (MESH:D009369), breathlessness (MESH:D004417), Corynebacterium ulcerans (MESH:D003354), Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia (MESH:D011023), ventricular arrhythmia (MESH:D001145), respiratory (MESH:D012131), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (MESH:D029424), Respiratory distress (MESH:D012128), psoriatic arthritis (MESH:D015535), sore throat (MESH:D010612), death (MESH:D003643), Bacteremia (MESH:D016470), infection (MESH:D007239), cough (MESH:D003371), numbness (MESH:D006987), toxicity (MESH:D064420), wheezing (MESH:D012135), hoarseness (MESH:D006685), type 2 diabetes mellitus (MESH:D003924), obstructive sleep apnea (MESH:D020181), like illness (MESH:C537675), C. ulcerans (MESH:D054312), ventricular tachycardia (MESH:D017180), diphtheria (MESH:D004165), cognitive impairment (MESH:D003072) - **Chemicals:** oxygen (MESH:D010100), methotrexate (MESH:D008727), benzylpenicillin (MESH:D010400), cefotaxime (MESH:D002439), prednisolone (MESH:D011239), ampicillin (MESH:D000667) - **Species:** Canis lupus familiaris (dog, subspecies) [taxon 9615], Corynebacterium diphtheriae (species) [taxon 1717], Corynebacterium ulcerans (species) [taxon 65058], Bacteria Latreille et al. 1825 (Bacteria stick insect, genus) [taxon 629395], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Bos taurus (bovine, species) [taxon 9913] ## Full text _Full body text omitted from this summary view._ Fetch the complete paper as Markdown: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12928220/full.md ## Figures 1 figure with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12928220/full.md ## References 10 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12928220/full.md --- Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12928220