ToxigenicCorynebacterium ulceransassociated with upper respiratory infections in cats and dogs

Objectives To describe infection in companion animals with the zoonotic pathogenCorynebacterium ulceransand to determine its prevalence in clinically-affected and healthy animals. Materials and Methods The clinical presentation and treatment of three cases ofC. ulceransinfection is described. Two studies to determineC. ulceransprevalence rates were undertaken: (a) a prospective study of nasal samples from healthy animals, 479 dogs and 72 cats; (b) a retrospective analysis of records of nasal samples collected over a 10-year period from 189 dogs and 64 cats affected by respiratory signs. Results ToxigenicC. ulceranswas isolated from four cats with nasal discharge while concurrentC. ulceransandmecCmethicillin-resistantS. aureusinfection was detected in a dog suffering from chronic nasal discharge. Clinical features were not distinctive and all cases recovered following antimicrobial treatment. Multilocus sequence typing supported a common source for isolates from the shelter cats. Carriage rates ofC. ulceransin healthy animals were 0.42% (2/479) in dogs and 0.00% (0/72) in cats whereas in animals with signs of upper respiratory tract infection prevalence rates were 0.53% (1/189) in dogs and 6.25% (4/64) in cats. Clinical Significance Clinicians should be aware that dogs and cats can be infected with (or carriers of) toxigenicC. ulceransConsidering the potential zoonotic risk, assistance from medical and public health colleagues should be sought in confirmed cases.