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Three cases of opportunistic infection caused by propionic acid producing Corynebacterium minutissimum
B Van Bosterhaut1, R Cuvelier, E Serruys
1Clinique Le Refuge, Mouscron, Belgium.
Abstract:
Propionic acid producing strains of Corynebacterium minutissimum were isolated from three patients with opportunistic infections. One neutropenic patient was undergoing chemotherapy for prolymphocytic leukemia; the other two patients were undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis respectively. An unusual feature of these three strains was their resistance to several antibiotics, which is seldom seen in diphtheroids other than Corynebacterium jeikeium and CDC group D2.
Insights
Antibiotic-resistant Corynebacterium minutissimum strains were identified in patients with opportunistic infections. These strains, isolated from immunocompromised individuals, exhibited unusual resistance patterns, posing potential treatment challenges.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Opportunistic infections pose significant risks to immunocompromised patients.
- Corynebacterium species are known opportunistic pathogens, particularly in vulnerable populations.
- Understanding the resistance patterns of bacterial strains is crucial for effective treatment.
Observation:
- Three strains of propionic acid-producing Corynebacterium minutissimum were isolated from patients with opportunistic infections.
- The patients included one undergoing chemotherapy for prolymphocytic leukemia and two on dialysis (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis).
- These isolates displayed resistance to multiple antibiotics, an uncommon trait for this species.
Findings:
- Corynebacterium minutissimum strains from immunocompromised patients demonstrated significant antibiotic resistance.
- The observed resistance profile is atypical for C. minutissimum, more commonly associated with Corynebacterium jeikeium or CDC group D2.
- This suggests potential for emerging resistance mechanisms within C. minutissimum.
Implications:
- The findings highlight the need for careful antibiotic selection when treating infections caused by C. minutissimum in high-risk patients.
- Enhanced surveillance for antibiotic resistance in Corynebacterium species is warranted.
- This study contributes to the understanding of antimicrobial resistance in opportunistic pathogens.