Cutaneous Corynebacterium Infection Presenting with Disseminated Skin Nodules and Ulceration

Abstract

In the context of the European migrant crisis, more and more cases of cutaneous diphtheria are seen. A typical presentation includes painful cutaneous ulcerations with grayish-whitish pseudomembranes. Here we present 2 male Eritrean patients suffering from cutaneous nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae (patient 1) and Corynebacterium striatum (patient 2) infection.

Introduction

Cutaneous diphtheria typically presents as painful cutaneous ulcerations associated with grayish-whitish pseudomembranes and perilesional erythema. Systemic manifestations such as pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cardiac and neurological complications have to be ruled out. Since the beginning of the European migrant crisis, more and more cases are seen [1]. The diagnosis may, however, be delayed or even missed since this infection has been rare in developed countries. Here we present 2 patients with a similar clinical presentation of a cutaneous infection with nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae (patient 1) and Corynebacterium striatum (patient 2).

Case Report

We present the cases of 2 male Eritrean patients (patient 1 aged 23 years, patient 2 aged 20 years) with disseminated pruriginous white to grayish hyperkeratotic and in places erosive papules on the trunk, extremities, and penis (Fig. 1a). Patient 2 showed flat cutaneous punched-out-like ulceration with serosanguinous exudate on the left upper leg (Fig. 1b). Both patients were refugees who did not know each other. The skin changes had started independently 2 weeks before consultation while passing through Libya, and subsequently spread slowly over the entire body. Due to the language barrier, a precise and detailed history could not be obtained. Commonly appearing central necrosis was absent in most lesions but typical grayish membranes were present on the erosion and papules. Skin histology showed a superficial to deep dermal eosinophil-rich inflammatory infiltrates with a central ulceration in both patients. PAS/Ziehl-Neelsen and Giemsa stains remained negative. HIV and syphilis serology as well as PCR for Treponema pallidum, Haemophilus ducreyi, and HHV-1/-2 were negative. The gamma-interferon assay was negative in patient 1 and positive in patient 2. Patient 2 also had a left hilar lymphadenopathy on thoracic X-ray but sputum cultures remained negative suggesting latent tuberculosis. Initially, both patients were treated with topical permethrin 5% and systemic ivermectin due to the suspicion of nodular scabies infestation. However, no typical signs for scabies such as erythematous papules, burrows or dermatoscopic delta signs were found at any of the predilection sites.

Fig. 1.

a Disseminated pruritic white/gray hyperkeratotic papules on the trunk and legs at first presentation (patient 1). b Several flat skin ulcerations with serosanguinous exudate on the left upper leg as well as disseminated pruritic white/gray hyperkeratotic papules (patient 2). Adjustments to brightness, color or contrast has been made to all of the images.

Two days after the first consultation, microbiologic cultures of skin swabs revealed C. diphtheriae in patient 1 (Fig. 1a) and C. striatum in patient 2 (Fig. 1b). Both had identical skin lesions. In both cases, the PCR analysis for the toxin was negative and subsequent pharyngeal swab cultures remained negative for C. diphtheriae but Streptococcus dysgalactiae grew. Local health authorities were informed. Further investigation did not reveal any systemic organ involvement. Based on the clinical and microbiological presentation the diagnosis of cutaneous Corynebacterium infection was made (cutaneous diphtheria in patient 1) with Staphylococcus aureus superinfection. S. aureus antibiotic susceptibility testing showed resistance to penicillin and susceptibility to erythromycin in both patients. Patients were treated with peroral erythromycin 500 mg twice daily for 14 days. Topical therapy included fusidic acid and medium strength steroids. Within 2–3 weeks, all skin lesions had completely resolved as reported by the treating physician. Unfortunately, no photographs were provided.

Discussion

Cutaneous diphtheria due to both toxigenic and nontoxigenic strains is a reemerging highly contagious skin infection with outbreaks reported in developed countries, affecting persons with poor hygienic status and/or patients with intravenous drug abuse [2, 3]. Due to the high vaccination rates, it is rather rare in developed Western countries but with increasing migration and the recent wave of refugees in Europe, more and more cases are being seen. It is primarily characterized by nonhealing chronic ulcerations with grayish-whitish pseudomembranes, perilesional erythema and local edema, but rarely eczematous or nodular forms with grayish, yellowish to brownish-gray membranes have also been described. Depending on the route of infection, several forms can be differentiated: first by heteroinoculation, second after autoinoculation (e.g., pharyngeal diphtheria), and third wound diphtheria when a preexisting wound is infected by C. diphtheriae. Cutaneous diphtheria lesions are commonly superinfected with S. aureus or Streptococcus spp. C. diphtheriae, especially toxin-positive strains, has the potential for systemic infection with pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cardiac and neurological complications [4]. First-line therapy is penicillin or erythromycin but multiresistant Corynebacterium strains have been described [5]. Vaccination with diphtheria and tetanus vaccines protects from the toxin-associated C. diphtheriae manifestations but does not have an impact on C. diphtheriae colonization. Thus, previous vaccination does not exclude a C. diphtheriae infection [6].

C. striatum is commonly found on human skin and mucous membranes and shows emerging evidence as a pathogen in immunocompromised patients or patients with prosthetic devices [7]. Concerns exist as person-to-person transmission has been reported [8]. Pneumonia, endocarditis and septicemia are the most common complications, whereas skin infections (slowly progressive painful skin ulcers), meningitis or central venous catheter infections are rare [9,10,11]. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a patient showing a nodular variant of C. striatum skin infection.

Clinical differential diagnoses include scabies, ecthyma, leishmaniasis, atypical mycobacteriosis, and pyoderma gangrenosum. As both patients were treated topically and systemically for scabies infestation, although diagnostic clinical evidence was missing, a concomitant scabies infestation could not be ruled out completely. If the vaccination status of a patient is uncertain, it is recommended to vaccinate against diphtheria, tetanus, polio and pertussis following the diagnosis with boosters after 4–8 weeks and 6–12 months after the 2nd injection [12]. In case of vaccine-preventable diseases like C. diphtheriae, public health interventions are indicated to prevent outbreaks like prevention of infections, restriction of cases, swabs, chemoprophylaxis and vaccination or boosters for all medium to close contacts.

In sum, we report the cases of 2 refugees with similar cutaneous manifestations of Corynebacterium infections presenting with grayish-whitish nodules and cutaneous ulceration without any signs of systemic infection. Both patients were superinfected with S. aureus. The skin lesions responded well to systemic erythromycin and resolved completely within 2 weeks. Cutaneous diphtheria should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with skin ulcerations including the less common grayish papules, especially if occurring in migrants or patients with drug abuse. Cutaneous diphtheria occurring in migrants requires special awareness of both the medical community as well as the attention of public health authorities in order to prevent possible public health hazards due to the high contagiousness [1].

Statement of Ethics

The authors have no ethical conflicts to disclose.

Disclosure Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Author Contributions

All authors had full access to all of the data in the case. Drs. Kolios and Kündig take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Drafting of the manuscript: Kolios, Kündig. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Cozzio, Zinkernagel, French. Study supervision: Kündig.