Microbiological characterization and clinical significance of Corynebacterium amycolatum strains

The laboratory records of patients with bacillus isolates identified as Corynebacterium xerosis were reviewed in an attempt to establish the clinical significance of the isolates, and the isolated strains were reidentified. Of the 22 strains available for reidentification, four were identified as Corynebacterium striatum and 18 as Corynebacterium amycolatum. Forty-one patients were considered to have Corynebacterium amycolatum isolates, and in 13 (31.7%) of these patients a genuine clinical infection occurred, comprising catheter-related infection in seven cases, surgical wound infection in five cases, and pilonidal cyst infection in one case. Most patients were treated with antimicrobial agents (vancomycin in seven cases and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in four cases). All patients were cured. Corynebacterium amycolatum can cause genuine infection, usually hospital-acquired, and the clinical significance of isolates must be determined to ensure proper management of patients.