[A tropical ulcer; cutaneous diphtheria].

A 43-year-old woman, born in the Netherlands, developed ulcers on her left foot during a holiday in Gambia and Senegal. She had been bitten bij insects. The ulcers were caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The patient was treated with antibiotics and recovered fully. A grey pseudomembrane covering the ulcer is a characteristic feature of cutaneous diphtheria. The treatment is with antibiotics and, after toxin tests have indicated that the bacterium is toxigenic, with antitoxin. In some cases screening of social contacts is advised.