From contamination to infective endocarditis-a population-based retrospective study of Corynebacterium isolated from blood cultures.

Corynebacterium is a genus that can contaminate blood cultures and also cause severe infections like infective endocarditis (IE). Our purpose was to investigate microbiological and clinical features associated with contamination and true infection. A retrospective population-based study of Corynebacterium bacteremia 2012-2017 in southern Sweden was performed. Corynebacterium isolates were species determined using a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Patient were, from the medical records, classified as having true infection or contamination caused by Corynebacterium through a scheme considering both bacteriological and clinical features and the groups were compared. Three hundred thirty-nine episodes of bacteremia with Corynebacterium were identified in 335 patients of which 30 (8.8%) episodes were classified as true infection. Thirteen patients with true bacteremia had only one positive blood culture. Infections were typically community acquired and affected mostly older males with comorbidities. The focus of infection was most often unknown, and in-hospital mortality was around 10% in both the groups with true infection and contamination. Corynebacterium jeikeium and Corynebacterium striatum were significantly overrepresented in the group with true infection, whereas Corynebacterium afermentans was significantly more common in the contamination group. Eight episodes of IE were identified, all of which in patients with heart valve prosthesis. Six of the IE cases affected the aortic valve and six of seven patients were male. The species of Corynebacterium in blood cultures can help to determine if a finding represent true infection or contamination. The finding of a single blood culture with Corynebacterium does not exclude true infection such as IE.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae biotipo belfanti no toxigénico en una paciente diabética con infección del tracto respiratorio superior / Non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae biotype belfanti in a diabetic patient with upper tract respiratory infection

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Incomplete endothelialization of an intravascular implant and fatal late-onset bacterial ductal arteritis in a dog with occluded patent ductus arteriosus.

An 18-month-old male Akita Inu dog developed fever and lameness 8 months after successful transcatheter closure of a patent ductus arteriosus with an Amplatz Canine Duct Occluder (ACDO). Corynebacterium species were cultured from 3 blood samples. Echocardiography showed a vegetative process on the aortic valves. The dog died spontaneously 3 days after development of the initial signs. Necropsy confirmed the presence of bacterial ductal arteritis and myocarditis, and revealed an incomplete endothelialization of the intraductal metal implant. The reason for the lack of (neo)endothelialization of the ACDO remains unknown. We conclude that late-onset bacterial device-related ductal arteritis can develop in dogs where the implant is incompletely covered by a protective endothelial layer.

Genomics of Corynebacterium striatum, an emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen of immunocompromised patients.

OBJECTIVES: Corynebacterium striatum is an emerging multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogen of immunocompromised and chronically ill patients. The objective of these studies was to provide a detailed genomic analysis of disease-causing C. striatum and determine the genomic drivers of resistance and resistance-gene transmission. METHODS: A multi-institutional and prospective pathogen genomics programme flagged seven MDR C. striatum infections occurring close in time, and specifically in immunocompromised patients with underlying respiratory diseases. Whole genome sequencing was used to identify clonal relationships among strains, genetic causes of antimicrobial resistance, and their mobilization capacity. Matrix-assisted linear desorption/ionization-time-of-flight analyses of sequenced isolates provided curated content to improve rapid clinical identification in subsequent cases. RESULTS: Epidemiological and genomic analyses identified a related cluster of three out of seven C. striatum among lung transplant patients who had common procedures and exposures at an outlying institution. Genomic analyses further elucidated drivers of the MDR phenotypes, including resistance genes mobilized by IS3504 and ISCg9a-like insertion sequences. Seven mobilizable resistance genes were localized to a common chromosomal region bounded by unpaired insertion sequences, suggesting that a single recombination event could spread resistance to aminoglycosides, macrolides, lincosamides and tetracyclines to naive strains. CONCLUSION: In-depth genomic studies of MDR C. striatum reveal its capacity for clonal spread within and across healthcare institutions and identify novel vectors that can mobilize multiple forms of drug resistance, further complicating efforts to treat infections in immunocompromised populations.

A life-threatening infection due to Corynebacterium striatum: a lesson learned.

Because the genus Corynebacterium colonize the human skin, detection of Corynebacterium striatum in a sterile blood specimen is sometimes considered as contamination. An 80-year-old man who underwent cardiovascular operation presented with high-grade fever postoperatively. Corynebacterium striatum was detected in the blood and wound exudate, and the patient was diagnosed with mediastinitis due to Corynebacterium striatum. One month earlier, a patient with similar symptoms due to C. striatum-related mediastinitis died in our care. The Corynebacterium striatum isolates from both patients had identical biochemical and genetic characteristics, suggesting that Corynebacterium striatum was acquired nosocomially. We have learnt a lesson from this negative experience: early diagnosis of Corynebacterium striatum-related infection and early administration of glycopeptide antibiotics could have saved this patient. It is notable that C. striatum can cause life-threatening infection after cardiovascular operation.

Early prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Corynebacterium amycolatum: the first case reported in Brazil.

Non-diphtheriae Corynebacterium species are usually considered as contaminants of clinical specimens due to their widely environmental distribution and colonization of the human skin and mucous membranes. However, these bacteria have been increasingly recognized as agents of life-threatening infections mainly in individuals in immunosuppressive conditions. These organisms have vast variation in morphology and biochemical reaction, characteristics that make the correct identification of Corynebacterium at the species level extremely difficult using conventional phenotypic methods. The precise identification of C. amycolatum requires approaches rarely available in conventional clinical microbiology laboratories, such as API Coryne system, 16s rRNA and rpoB gene sequencing. In this setting, MALDI-TOF, a quick, accurate, and relatively unexpansive molecular technique, arises as a cost-effective alternative for characterizing these agents. Here, a rare and lethal case of endocarditis caused by C. amycolatum is presented. This is the first case of infective endocarditis due to C. amycolatum reported in Brazil.

The first Danish family reported with an AQP5 mutation presenting diffuse non-epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma of Bothnian type, hyperhidrosis and frequent Corynebacterium infections: a case report.

BACKGROUND: An autosomal dominant form of diffuse non-epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma, palmoplantar keratoderma of Bothnian type, is caused by mutations in the AQP5 gene encoding the cell-membrane water channel protein aquaporin 5 leading to defective epidermal-water-barrier function in the epidermis of the palms and soles. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the first Danish family diagnosed with diffuse non-epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma of Bothnian type in which fourteen individuals are potentially affected. The proband, a 36-year-old male had since childhood been affected by pronounced hyperhidrosis of the palms and soles along with palmoplantar keratoderma. He reported a very distinctive feature of the disorder, aquagenic wrinkling, as he developed pronounced maceration of the skin with translucent white papules and a spongy appearance following exposure to water. The patient presented recurrent fungal infections, a wellknown feature of the condition, but also periodic worsening with pitted keratolysis and malodour due to bacterial infections. CONCLUSIONS: Palmoplantar keratoderma of Bothnian type, which may be associated with hyperhidrosis, is frequently complicated by fungal infections and may be complicated by Corynebacterium infections.

Corneal inlay implantation complicated by infectious keratitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To report five cases of infectious keratitis following corneal inlay implantation for the surgical correction of presbyopia. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational case series. Five eyes of five patients were identified consecutively in two emergency departments during a 1-year period, from November 2013 to November 2014. Patients' demographics, clinical features, treatment and outcomes are described. RESULTS: There were four female patients and one male, aged 52-64 years. Three patients had the KAMRA inlay (AcuFocus) and two had the Flexivue Microlens inlay (Presbia Coöperatief U.A.) inserted for the treatment of presbyopia and they presented from 6 days to 4 months postoperatively. Presenting uncorrected vision ranged from 6/38 to counting fingers. One patient's corneal scrapings were positive for a putatively causative organism, Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum, and all patients responded to broad-spectrum fortified topical antibiotics. All patients lost vision with final uncorrected visual acuity ranging from 6/12 to 6/60 and best-corrected vision ranging from 6/7.5 to 6/12. Two patients' corneal inlays were explanted and three remained in situ at last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Infectious keratitis can occur at an early or late stage following corneal inlay implantation. Final visual acuity can be limited by stromal scarring; in the cases where the infiltrate was small and off the visual axis at the time of presentation, the final visual acuity was better than those patients who presented with larger lesions affecting the visual axis. Though infection may necessitate removal of the inlay, early positive response to treatment may enable the inlay to be left in situ.

Relapsing Bacteraemia due to Corynebacterium striatum in a Patient with Peripheral Arterial Disease.

We describe the first reported case of Corynebacterium striatum (C. striatum) relapsing bacteraemia in a patient with peripheral arterial disease and proven Corynebacterium species colonization of a chronic foot ulcer, focusing on the difficulties in the management of the patient. We conclude that the optimal duration of the antibiotic treatment for relapsing C. striatum bacteraemia from a chronic ulcer should be 6 weeks together with surgical treatment.

Corynebacterium striatum: an emerging nosocomial drug-resistant endocardial pathogen.

Endocarditis due to Corynebacterium striatum has been rarely reported. A 78-year-old patient developed pacemaker endocarditis caused by multidrug-resistant C. striatum, complicated by vertebral osteomyelitis and epidural abscess. Daptomycin therapy successfully eradicated the bacteremia and metastatic infection. A review of the English literature on this emerging nosocomial, multidrug-resistant pathogen is included.

Two-stage arthroplasty for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis after routine arthroscopic knee surgery.

Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum is a normal inhabitant of the upper respiratory tract and is rarely thought of as a true pathogen. Although this microorganism has been associated with respiratory complications, a few case reports have demonstrated its ability to cause orthopedic infections. A recent review of the literature was performed regarding this specific bacteria and its association with bone and joint infection. To the author's knowledge, the current case is the first reported case of chronic osteomyelitis from Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum after arthroscopic knee surgery. Isolation of this bacterial species on routine microbial cultures has been proven to be challenging in prior studies. In the current case, difficulty isolating this bacterial species on routine cultures led to a significant delay in diagnosis, which ultimately resulted in end-stage joint destruction. Treatment of the infection was accomplished using a 2-stage total knee arthroplasty technique, with the initial placement of an articulated, antibiotic-loaded spacer followed by a subsequent conversion to total knee arthroplasty. This case serves as a useful reminder that clinically subtle infections can occur after minor orthopedic surgery. Surgeons must remain vigilant to render a timely diagnosis and avoid severe sequelae that can result from an undetected pathogen after arthroscopic surgery.

A rare case of sepsis due to Corynebacterium macginleyi from central venous catheter in an elderly woman.

Corynebacterium macginleyi is a gram positive rod that causes especially ocular infections: since now only six elderly cases of extraocular infection are described. A 76 years old bedridden woman with a central venous catheter was hospitalized for 10 days of persistent fever. She was treated before with vancomicin and then with imipenem. The clinical conditions improved and the patient was discharged after two weeks of hospitalization. Among recognised risk factors for this infection the advanced age, indwelling devices and immunosuppression seem the most important. On the other hand, the antibiotics of choice are glycopeptides while the association of another antibiotic is recommended in our opinion only in severe clinical manifestation.

Acute peritonitis due to Corynebacterium ulcerans in a patient receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: a case report and literature review.

A 55-year-old Japanese woman receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was admitted to our service with abdominal pain and cloudy peritoneal fluid. Laboratory data revealed a white blood cell count of 7.20 × 10(9 )cells/L, hemoglobin 9.8 g/dl, hematocrit 29.0%, platelet count 284 × 10(9 )cells/L, and C-reactive protein (CRP) 0.109 g/L. Peritoneal fluid white blood cell count of 2,000 cells/µl suggested acute peritonitis. An empiric trial of cefazolin and ceftazidime, subsequently switched to meropenem, vancomycin, minocycline, and amikacin, did not improve the patient's symptoms. The peritoneal fluid collected before initiation of antibiotic therapy grew Corynebacterium ulcerans. Ampicillin/sulbactam was started based on the culture and sensitivity data. On hospital day 8, the CAPD catheter was removed due to no clinical improvement and persistently increased levels of CRP to 0.0174 g/L. A 14-day course of ampicillin/sulbactam improved her clinical condition and laboratory data. Microbiological analysis revealed that C. ulcerans isolated from this patient did not produce diphtheria toxin. C. ulcerans was not isolated from her dog's oral and nasal cavities during a search for the route of her infection. We recommend that in patients with peritoneal dialysis, special attention should be paid to Corynebacterium peritonitis, especially due to C. ulcerans, which may produce diphtheria toxin, be resistant to multiple antibiotics, and frequently become recurrent.