Corynebacterium diphtheriae in sickle cell leg ulcers in Jamaica.

Bacterial cultures of leg ulcers from 90 patients with SS disease demonstrated 9 with Corynebacterium diptheriae. Follow-up swabs revealed a further 4 cases. All strains were of the gravis variety and 9 of the 13 isolates were toxigenic. The affected ulcers were not remarkable in appearance and no patient was clinically toxic. A variety of other organisms were isolated from the wound, most commonly Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Carriage of C. diptheriae tended to be brief. The significance and therapy of cutaneous diptheria are reviewed (AU)