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Background Infections caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans, a zoonotic pathogen, have been reported worldwide. This microorganism is known to produce the diphtheria toxin and cause diphtheria‐like illness. Case presentation A 63‐year‐old woman with a history of diabetes and hypertension developed cold and flu‐like symptoms, which gradually progressed into respiratory distress. Therefore, the patient was intubated for dyspnea with pseudomembrane formation. A toxin‐producing strain of C. ulcerans was identified, also detected in the patient’s domestic cats. Multilocus sequence typing confirmed all strains, including the patient’s isolate, as ST337. Conclusion Multilocus sequence typing revealed zoonotic transmission of C. ulcerans from domestic cats to a human., We reported a case of Corynebacterium ulcerans infection with airway obstruction. Considering polymerase chain reaction findings indicating the presence of a toxin gene and multilocus sequence typing of samples from the patient and her domestic cats, cat‐to‐human transmission likely occurred.

Aim Redback spiders are rapidly becoming a nationwide problem in Japan. The domestic production of antivenom for redback spider bites has been started because of extremely low supply. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of emergency physicians to recognize redback spider bites and to examine the demand for antivenom and identify the ideal choice for storage. Methods Questionnaires examining the ability to recognize redback spider bites, the demand for antivenom, and overall level of preparedness were sent to 271 emergency medical service centers in Japan in March 2015. Results Completed questionnaires were returned by 156 medical institutions (58%). Only 25% of the institutes correctly answered regarding the recognition of redback spider bites. A demand for the new, domestically produced antivenom was reported by 55% of the institutes. Antivenom demand was high and increased with the ability to recognize redback spider bites (0 correct answers, n = 24 [42.9%]; 1–2 answers, n = 32 [55.2%]; three answers, n = 28 [71.8%]; P = 0.02). The storage of antivenom within their prefectures or regions was the best option for initial supply planning. Approximately 90% of the emergency centers showed an ability to use the antivenom safely. Conclusion The recognition of redback spider bites was low; however, the demand for antivenom was high. The storage of antivenom within their own prefectures or regions was considered to be the best option for initial supply planning. Emergency medical service centers are also good candidates for storage and safe use of antivenom.

Case A healthy 40-year-old man was admitted with severe coagulopathy that developed after Rhabdophis tigrinus bites. On admission, he showed significantly elevated levels of thrombin–antithrombin III complex (60 ng/mL), plasmin–alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor complex (22.3 μg/mL), and fibrinogen degradation products (592 μg/mL). He subsequently developed severe hypofibrinogenemia (50 mg/dL). Outcome Antivenom was given 28 h after the patient was bitten, following which his hemorrhagic symptoms resolved. By day 3 of admission, scabs had formed over the bite wounds. Furthermore, his fibrinogen levels increased to >100 mg/dL, while his thrombin–antithrombin III complex, plasmin–alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor complex, and fibrinogen degradation product levels normalized. He was discharged on day 6 of admission. Conclusion Rhabdophis tigrinus bites induced disseminated intravascular coagulation with a fibrinolytic phenotype, which completely recovered with antivenom treatment.