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Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Vet Sci / Case Report: Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans Diphtheria-L...
Frontiers in veterinary science2021; 8; 650238; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.650238

Case Report: Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans Diphtheria-Like Infection in a Horse in the United Kingdom.

Abstract: () may cause diphtheria in humans and can be carried by a wide range of animal species including dairy cows and, more recently, dogs and cats that have been increasingly involved in zoonotic trasmission. We isolated and characterized, by WGS, a toxigenic strain from a diseased horse in the United Kingdom showing clinical signs of respiratory diphtheria comparable to those seen in people. Our results indicate a role for horses as reservoirs for zoonotic .
Copyright © 2021 Zendri, Isgren, Sinovich, Richards-Rios, Hopkins, Russell, Groves, Litt, Fry and Timofte.
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Publication Date: 2021-06-01 PubMed ID: 34141732PubMed Central: PMC8203807DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.650238Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article focuses on studying an infection similar to diphtheria caused by a bacterium called Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans in a horse in the UK, suggesting that horses could potentially serve as reservoirs for this zoonotic bacteria.

Research Findings and Methodology

  • The researchers studied an instance where a horse in the United Kingdom displayed symptoms of respiratory diphtheria. This is an illness more commonly associated with humans and not typically seen in horses.
  • The bacteria causing this infection, Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans, was isolated from the diseased horse. This bacterium is known to cause diphtheria in humans and is typically carried by dairy cows. More recently, dogs and cats have been reported to carry this bacterium and contribute to its zoonotic transmission, meaning it gets transferred from animals to humans.
  • WGS, or Whole Genome Sequencing, was used to characterize the isolated Corynebacterium ulcerans. This is a process that allows researchers to determine the complete DNA sequence of an organism’s genome at a single time. This insightful technique enables the understanding of the genetic composition of the bacterium and to draw connections between its genotype and the disease phenotype.

Implications of the Research

  • The major finding of this study is the implication that horses may act as reservoirs for the zoonotic Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans.
  • Reservoirs refer to living creatures that can carry a pathogen (like a bacterium or virus) without having significant symptoms, and in doing so they can spread the pathogen to other species. If horses can be such a reservoir, they could indirectly contribute to transmission of this bacterium to humans.
  • This finding suggests the need for further surveillance and control measures to prevent horses from becoming a widespread source of zoonotic transmission of Corynebacterium ulcerans.
  • This research also highlights the importance of understanding zoonotic diseases and the potential sources of transmission in order to protect human health.

Cite This Article

APA
Zendri F, Isgren CM, Sinovich M, Richards-Rios P, Hopkins KL, Russell K, Groves N, Litt D, Fry NK, Timofte D. (2021). Case Report: Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans Diphtheria-Like Infection in a Horse in the United Kingdom. Front Vet Sci, 8, 650238. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.650238

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 650238
PII: 650238

Researcher Affiliations

Zendri, Flavia
  • Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, United Kingdom.
Isgren, Cajsa Marie
  • Department of Equine Clinical Science, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, United Kingdom.
Sinovich, Matthew
  • Department of Equine Clinical Science, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, United Kingdom.
Richards-Rios, Peter
  • Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, United Kingdom.
Hopkins, Katie L
  • Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Division, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom.
Russell, Katherine
  • Emerging Infections and Zoonoses section, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom.
Groves, Natalie
  • Respiratory and Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Reference Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom.
Litt, David
  • Respiratory and Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Reference Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom.
Fry, Norman K
  • Respiratory and Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Reference Unit, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom.
  • Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom.
Timofte, Dorina
  • Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, United Kingdom.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Museux K, Arcari G, Rodrigo G, Hennart M, Badell E, Toubiana J, Brisse S. Corynebacteria of the diphtheriae Species Complex in Companion Animals: Clinical and Microbiological Characterization of 64 Cases from France. Microbiol Spectr 2023 Jun 15;11(3):e0000623.
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