Some observations on the distribution of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in Western Samoa

Abstract

(1) The distribution of C. diphhheriae in the throat and skin lesions of a group of Samoan children and adults has been investigated. (2) Throat swabs of 140 children under the age of 6 years yielded five strains of C. diphtheriae, one of which was toxigenic. No strains were recovered from the throats of 115 adults. (3) The skin lesions of 160 individuals of all ages were sampled, and strains of C. diphtheriae were recovered from 46.7 per cent. Five per cent. of the strains gave positive virulence tests in the guinea-pig. Strains were recovered from 60.3 per cent. of yaws granulomata, 50 per cent. of infected wounds and 42.2 per cent. of impetiginous lesions sampled.There was a positive association of C. diphtheriae with yaws lesions. (4) The immune status of the individual, as measured by the Schick test, did not appear to affect the distribution of C. diphtheriae. (5) The relation of cutaneous strains of C. diphtheriae to the rapid development of antitoxic immunity in Samoans, and the part played by the organism in the aetiology of skin lesions, is discussed. It seems probable that it acts as a secondary invader of any skin injury, and that its toxin production is sufficient to achieve active immunization of the host.