NON-DIPHTHERIAE CORYNEBACTERIUM SPECIES AS EMERGING PATHOGENS: CASE SERIES FROM A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN WESTERN NEPAL
Abstract
Background: Corynebacteria other than C diphtheriae are often regarded as commensals of the skin and mucosa. However, these Corynebacterium species were recently recognized as emerging pathogens, causing systemic infections. Six cases due to non-diphetherial Corynebacteria as primary pathogens are reported here.
Methods: This was an observational study. Therapeutic outcome along with demographic and clinical details were obtained from the patients’ records. Organisms were identified and antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed by conventional techniques.
Results: C. xerosis was isolated from three patients: one with non-healing wound over the face following scald injury; second, a post-operative wound infection; and third, a case of neonatal sepsis. Two cases with acute exacerbation of COPD (case 3 and 5), yielded C bovis and Corynebacterium spp. respectively. The later had a prolonged hospital stay showing concurrent infections with Acinetobacter and Candida spp. C falsenii, an unusual pathogen was recovered from blood of a 2 year septicemic child . The patients responded to appropriate antibiotic therapy and made substantial recovery.
Conclusions: This case series highlights the importance of non C. diphtheriae Corynebacteria as primary pathogens. Non-diphtherial Corynebacteria should not be discarded as commensals or contaminants. Timely identification, proper clinical correlation and appropriate therapeutic intervention can lead to favorable outcome.
Keywords:
Non-diphtherial Corynebacteria, COPD, Sepsis, Wound infectionDownloads
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