Genome Analysis of Corynebacterium ulcerans Isolates Chronologically Recovered From the Same Cat for Two Years: Circulation in a Cat Shelter

Toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans, a zoonotic pathogen, was isolated repeatedly from a cat in an in-house group in Japan. Although the cat was cured once by antibiotic treatment, clonal isolates of the original pathogenic strain were recovered repeatedly during a 2-year course. Clonal isolates of those isolates were also obtained from other asymptomatic cats in the same shelter, suggesting that environmental circulation of the pathogen had occurred. Care should be taken to monitor and cure the animals if any of their groupmates test positive for the pathogen, even if asymptomatic.