In a recent report published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, researchers have documented the first instances of a diphtheria-like illness being transmitted between humans and their pets in the United States. The cases, occurring in Utah and Colorado, highlight a concerning transmission of a bacterium known as Corynebacterium ulceran, closely related to the pathogen responsible for diphtheria.
The illnesses, reported to have occurred in 2022 and 2023, involved respiratory symptoms linked to C. ulceran. According to a recent study from Japan, this bacterium is prevalent in the environment and poses significant risks to livestock and wildlife.
Although transmission between pets and humans is rare, the first documented case in the U.S. occurred in 2022 in Utah. The affected individual, who had diabetes and a non-healing leg wound, tested positive for C. ulceran. Subsequent testing revealed that the bacterium was also present in the person’s spouse and two out of three household cats. Prompt antibiotic treatment was administered to all household members, leading to successful recovery.
A similar case occurred in Colorado in 2023, where a resident with unresolved upper respiratory symptoms tested positive for C. ulceran. The patient lived with a spouse and two dogs, and a visitor with a dog stayed temporarily. Antibiotic therapy with erythromycin was successful in treating the infection, ensuring recovery in all affected individuals.
Amanda Metz, leading the research team from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, emphasized the importance of vigilance among healthcare providers regarding C. ulceran. The symptoms closely resemble those of diphtheria, raising the question of potential cross-protection from the diphtheria vaccine.
While it remains unclear whether the transmission occurred from pets to humans or vice versa, it is confirmed that C. ulceran does not spread from person to person. Metz and her colleagues underscored the need for continued investigation into these cases to better understand the dynamics of transmission between humans and their pets.
The findings underscore the importance of routine vaccination with diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccines as a precautionary measure. Further research is needed to ascertain the full implications of C. ulceran transmission between humans and animals.
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