Isolates of toxigenic corynebacteria England and Wales 1986-2010

The most characteristic feature of ‘classical’ respiratory diphtheria is a membranous pharyngitis (often referred to as a pseudo-membrane) with fever, enlarged anterior cervical lymph nodes and oedema of soft tissues giving a “bull neck” appearance. The table below shows the number of isolates of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae and C. ulcerans in England and Wales for the years 1986 to 2010 by presention; ‘classical’ diphtheria as described above, or ‘other’ which includes skin infections, milder respiratory infections and asymptomatic (no symptoms) cases.

Last reviewed: 26 August 2011