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Volume 32, Number 2—February 2026

Research Letter

Severe Respiratory Diphtheria-Like Illness Caused by Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans

Rita Helleren, Hans Kristian Fløystad, Odd Alexander Tellefsen, Miroslav Boskovic, Terje Skraastad, Anne Torunn Mengshoel, Kristian Alfsnes, and Vegard SkogenComments to Author 
Author affiliation: Sørlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway (R. Helleren, H.K. Fløystad, O.A. Tellefsen, M. Boskovic, T. Skraastad); Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway (A.T. Mengshoel, K. Alfsnes); Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway (V. Skogen); University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø (V. Skogen)

Main Article

Table

Laboratory findings from blood collected at admission in a case of severe respiratory diphtheria-like illness caused by toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans, Norway*

Test Value Reference range
C-reactive protein, mg/L 329 0.00–5.0
Leukocytes, × 109 cells/L 24 3.5–10.0
Neutrophils, × 109 cells/L 22 1.5–7.1
Creatinine, µmol/L 183 60–105
GFR, mL/min 31 >90

*GFR, glomerular filtration rate.

Main Article

Page created: January 21, 2026
Page updated: February 09, 2026
Page reviewed: February 09, 2026
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