Group JK corynebacteria in skin flora of healthy persons and patients

The presence of group JK corynebacteria in the skin flora of the axilla and inguinal regions was monitored for several months in three groups comprising 45 oncological patients, 49 dialysis patients and 36 healthy staff members. Oncology patients were colonised significantly more often (51%) than dialysis patients and staff members (33% and 36% respectively). The frequency of isolation did not differ between male patients and staff whereas female patients were colonised significantly more often than female staff members. The inguinal region was colonised more often than the axilla. Oncological patients had the highest proportion of antibiotic resistant group JK corynebacteria strains on their skin and staff members the lowest proportion.