Septic osteomyelitis of the hip in a previously healthy child is described. A weakly toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain was isolated from the bone aspirate. The results of the treatment were rapidly satisfactory, after surgical drainage and antibiotic therapy with pristinamycin.
Conclusion: This case report shows that C. diphtheriae has not disappeared in the developed world and can be responsible of systemic infections.