Re-emergence of Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Abstract Background Diphtheria is re-emerging in Europe. A total of 36 cases were reported in Europe in 2015 versus 53 cases between 2000 and 2009. Patients We report two cases of Corynebacterium diphtheriae infection in a French hospital in 2016: a cutaneous infection with negative toxin testing in a French traveller, and a respiratory diphtheria carriage with positive toxin testing in an Afghan refugee diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. The vaccination history of the Afghan patient could not be retrieved.