NON-TOXIGENIC DIPTHERIA SEPTICEMIA IN DIABETIC FOOT: - THE RETURNING REAPER OF DEATH

Abstract

Corynebacterium diphtheria is an assassin of the past with near total eradication in view of extensive vaccination around the world. Usually presenting as a respiratory ailment, its pathogenesis is aided by the toxaemia instead of bacteraemia. Nevertheless, over the last 20-30 years, cutaneous forms of diphtheria have been increasing in trend affecting the immunocompromised in the form of an opportunistic infection. Although bacteraemia is a rare occurrence, it has been found to cause systemic sepsis with multi-organ involvement in the form of encephalitis, cardiomyopathy, endocarditis and osteoarthritis. Herein we present a rare case of right diabetic foot with uncontrolled glycaemic state in systemic sepsis presenting with Corynebacterium diphtheria as the causative organism with significant colony count.