[Pleural empyema caused by Corynebacterium sp]

Until recently Corynebacterium sp. had been considered an infrequent cause of infection in humans. In the last few years, however, it has proven its ability to produce severe pulmonary and extrapulmonary infections, generally in immunodeficient hosts. We present a rare case of an immunocompetent man 68 years-old who developed community-acquired pneumonia and left pleural empyema, with Corynebacterium sp. isolated in pleural liquid. Response to thoracic drainage and antibiotic therapy (imipenem and clindamycin) was good.