Rare case of Corynebacterium striatum septic arthritis

Corynebacterium species are aerobic, Gram-positive bacilli that are commensal organisms of skin and mucosal membranes. Although its pathogenicity is well established, Corynebacterium striatum is frequently isolated in cultures and generally regarded as a contaminant. Rarely, this bacterium causes septic arthritis. We present a case of right shoulder joint septic arthritis due to C. striatum in a lung-transplant recipient with end-stage renal disease. A brief review of the literature regarding C. striatum septic arthritis is also a part of this report.