Pseudodiphtheritic Membranous Pharyngitis Caused by Corynebacterium hemolyticum

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Abstract
DIPHTHERIA is the most serious pharyngeal infection in terms of morbidity and mortality, both to the patient and the community. Although fewer than 60 to 70 cases are recorded annually,1 the possibility of this illness must always be considered in patients with membranous tonsillitis and pharyngitis. We report a case of membranous pharyngitis caused by Corynebacterium hemolyticum that strongly mimicked diphtheria. Review of the literature suggests that this organism, though infrequently recognized, may in fact be responsible for many severe and prolonged throat infections. Report of a Case A 16-year-old girl was admitted to Hampton General Hospital, Hampton, Va, on May 22,1980, with a three-week history of high fever and sore throat. Although she had experienced a documented case of mononucleosis (heterophil antibody test reaction for mononucleosis was positive) the previous year, the admitting diagnosis was again mononucleosis, since a test for heterophil antibody performed at her physician's office

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