Corynebacterium diphtheriae

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In 2016, I was infected with four different bacteria during surgery due to a contaminated hardware implant. One of those bacteria was Corynebacterium, a pathogen that deserves greater awareness because of its ability to persist in the body and potentially reactivate years later.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the bacterium responsible for diphtheria, a serious bacterial infection that primarily affects the throat and respiratory system, although it can also impact other areas of the body. The severity of symptoms varies depending on the strain involved and the individual's health status.

What many people do not realize is that certain species of Corynebacterium have the ability to enter a dormant state. Research has shown that under stressful conditions—such as starvation, acidic environments, or prolonged stationary phases—these bacteria can become metabolically inactive and enter what is known as a "viable but non-culturable" state. In this condition, the bacteria stop growing and often cannot be detected through standard laboratory cultures. However, their genetic material remains intact, and they can become highly resistant to antibiotic treatment.

How Reawakening Occurs

When conditions become favorable again, or when the dormant bacteria are exposed to chemical signals released by actively growing bacterial colonies, they can "reawaken" and resume multiplying. This ability to survive in a dormant state and later reactivate may help explain persistent or recurring infections associated with certain Corynebacterium species.

It is important to note that while Corynebacterium species have demonstrated the ability to enter dormant states and later resume activity, the role of bacterial dormancy and reactivation in individual patients remains an active area of scientific study. Further research is needed to better understand these processes and their impact on long-term infections. 

Clinical Significance

The capacity for dormancy and reactivation is particularly important in infections involving implanted medical devices, surgical hardware, or compromised tissue. Species such as Corynebacterium jeikeium and Corynebacterium striatum have been associated with chronic, difficult-to-treat infections because they can persist on medical devices and evade treatments that target actively dividing bacteria.

Testing for Corynebacterium requires specialized laboratory analysis. Depending on the suspected site of infection, healthcare providers may order cultures or molecular testing from throat, nasal, wound, tissue, or blood samples. Because Corynebacterium infections are not always identified through routine testing, specific testing may need to be requested.

Common Symptoms of Diphtheria

Symptoms of diphtheria may include:

  • Sore throat that progressively worsens
  • Fever
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • A thick gray or white membrane in the throat or nose
  • Swollen and tender lymph nodes in the neck
  • Hoarseness or changes in voice
  • Weakness and fatigue

One of the hallmark signs of diphtheria is the development of a thick gray or white coating in the throat or nasal passages. This membrane consists of dead tissue, bacteria, and immune cells and can partially obstruct the airway.

Potential Complications

In severe cases, diphtheria can lead to serious complications, including:

  • Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
  • Nerve damage
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Airway obstruction
  • Organ damage

Without prompt treatment, these complications can become life-threatening.

Prevention

Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease. Routine immunization with the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine during childhood, followed by recommended booster doses throughout adulthood, has dramatically reduced the incidence of diphtheria in many countries.

My experience with a contaminated surgical implant and subsequent infection by four different bacteria, including Corynebacterium, highlights the importance of recognizing these organisms and understanding their potential to persist, evade detection, and contribute to chronic health complications. Increased awareness, appropriate testing, and ongoing research are essential to improving outcomes for patients affected by these infections.

Reference:

Induction and Resuscitation of Viable but Nonculturable Corynebacterium diphtheriae
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8145655/

Diphtheria: The “Forgotten Disease” 
https://swaresearch.blogspot.com/2026/03/diphtheria-forgotten-disease.html

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

  2. World Health Organization (WHO):

  3. Mayo Clinic:

  4. MedlinePlus (from the U.S. National Library of Medicine):

© 2000-2030 Sieglinde W. Alexander. All writings by Sieglinde W. Alexander have a fife year copy right. Library of Congress Card Number: LCN 00-192742 ISBN: 0-9703195-0-9 

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