Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Alternative Names/Synonyms	Detection of Corynebacterium diphtheriae (Diphtheria)
Laboratory	Microbiology
Sub-section	Bacteriology
Specimen Type	Respiratory: ○ Throat, nasal, nasopharynx/nasopharyngeal, membranous material, tonsillar fossae, posterior pharynx, or uvula swab Cutaneous: ○ Superficial swab from skin lesion ○ Skin lesion aspirate, swab or membranous material Serology: ○ Whole blood

Other Information

○ Collect skin lesion specimens during acute phase of illness
○ Serologic testing is performed only to diagnosis immunodeficiency or for adverse reaction to Diphteria vaccine. It is not done for immunity, acute diagnosis or pre-vaccination screening.

Specimen Requirements (Tube Type)

○ Swab: Sterile swab in Amies transport medium
○ Whole blood/serum: serum separator tube (serology only) (5mL)
○ Lesion aspirate: sterile container

Collection Requirements

Upper respiratory tract swab:
○ In symptomatic patients, areas of throat, nose, nasopharynx that appear inflamed should be sampled. Collect the swab by rotating on the affected area for 10 to 30 seconds. Place swab in transport medium
○ If membranes are present and can be removed, swab from beneath the membrane for better sampling. Collect swabs from several affected areas to increase sensitivity. Nasopharyngeal swabs should be collected from suspected carriers.

Whole blood/serum/plasma:
○ Decontaminate skin with 70% alcohol followed by iodine or chlorhexidine, collect at least 5 mL of blood
Skin lesion aspirate, swab or membraneous material:
○ De-roof or remove crusted material from lesions and swab the base of lesion or use a needle to aspirate fluid. Place swab in transport medium or place aspirate in sterile container.

Sample Stability

Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery

Referral Laboratory

Culture In-house Serology PHOL

Routine Turnaround Time

○ Culture: Up to 5 days
○ Serology: Up to 28 days

Laboratory Contact Information

416-586-4800 extension 4473

Approval Required

Sample Processing / Delivery

○ Label specimen container. Place specimens in biohazard bag and seal.

○ Specimens should be stored and transported to the UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory at refrigeration temperature (2-8˚C) ASAP after collection.

○ The specimen will be referred to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory for toxin testing and serology.