Corynebacterium vaginale (Hemophilus vaginalis) bacteremia: clinical study of 29 cases

Twenty-nine patients with bacteremia due to Corynebacterium vaginale, an inhabitant of the female genital tract, are described. Four were newborn babies. Nineteen were healthy young women delivered at full term by an operative procedure, cesarean section, or episiotomy. Within 48 hours fever and bacteremia developed. While receiving antibiotics the fever returned to normal, usually within 48 hours. The remaining cases were associated with septic abortion, tubal pregnancy, an intrauterine device, hydatidiform mole, and cellulitis. None of the adults showed evidence of brain abscess, meningitis, or endocarditis. Corynebacterium vaginale is an opportunistic minor pathogen that apparently gains access to the blood stream via an exposed vascular bed rather than as the result of immunosupression.