Native Wrist Septic Arthritis due to Corynebacterium striatum after Short-Term Systemic Glucocorticoids

A 77-year-old man receiving a seven-week course of systemic glucocorticoids for organizing pneumonia was referred to our hospital with persistent fever and generalized edema. During hospitalization, swelling of the left wrist became apparent and it progressively worsened. Repeated blood culture examinations were initially negative, and Corynebacterium striatum was subsequently isolated from the synovial fluid and from a single set of blood cultures obtained on the sixth attempt. However, these findings were initially regarded as contamination. A subsequent synovial biopsy identified C. striatum, thus leading to a final diagnosis of native wrist septic arthritis. The patient's symptoms improved after initiating intravenous vancomycin therapy.