Abstract
Corynebacterium spp. are primarily considered normal flora and dismissed when isolated from clinical specimens. In recent years, Corynebacterium striatum has emerged as a multi-drug resistant human pathogen which can cause nosocomial outbreaks. The organism has infrequently been noted to cause respiratory infections. A retrospective study was conducted to identify the clinical and microbiological features of respiratory infection by Corynebacterium striatum. C. striatum isolates from clinical and surveillance samples were tested for susceptibility to antimicrobials and typed by Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Clinical data was obtained through a retrospective review of records. 15 isolates from clinical and surveillance samples of 11 hospitalised patients were included. The patients suffered from either an exacerbation of COPD (n = 9) or pneumonia (n = 2). The isolates were all multi-drug resistant. RAPD typing found no evidence of an outbreak/ transmission between patients. Corynebacterium spp. must be considered potential pathogens. Suspicious isolates should be identified to the species level since Corynebacterium striatum is often multi-drug resistant.
Highlights
Corynebacterium spp. are primarily considered normal flora and dismissed when isolated from clinical specimens
Corynebacterium spp. are non-sporing grampositive bacilli that are found in the environment and as part of normal skin flora
We identified C. striatum as a cause of respiratory infection/ colonization in several patients and conducted a literature review to describe respiratory infections caused by this organism
Summary
Corynebacterium spp. are primarily considered normal flora and dismissed when isolated from clinical specimens. Corynebacterium striatum has emerged as a multi-drug resistant human pathogen which can cause nosocomial outbreaks. A retrospective study was conducted to identify the clinical and microbiological features of respiratory infection by Corynebacterium striatum. Corynebacterium spp. are non-sporing grampositive bacilli that are found in the environment and as part of normal skin flora They are largely considered insignificant contaminants when isolated from clinical specimens. Due to relatively few studies reporting C. striatum respiratory infection, the syndromes caused, risk factors and other demographic and clinical features remain undefined. It is an important emerging pathogen which is often multidrug resistant and may cause nosocomial outbreaks [2]. We identified C. striatum as a cause of respiratory infection/ colonization in several patients and conducted a literature review to describe respiratory infections caused by this organism
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
