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Seven patients with respiratory infections due to Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum

J D Freeman1, H J Smith, H G Haines

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Melbourne.

Pathology
|July 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum can cause lower respiratory tract infections, particularly in those with chronic lung disease or after endotracheal intubation. Penicillin demonstrated consistent effectiveness against these C. pseudodiphtheriticum isolates.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum is a Gram-positive bacterium, part of the normal human respiratory flora.
  • While typically considered a commensal organism, it can act as an opportunistic pathogen.

Observation:

  • This study describes seven cases of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) caused by C. pseudodiphtheriticum.
  • In immunocompetent individuals, LRTI due to this bacterium was frequently linked to underlying chronic pulmonary conditions.
  • Endotracheal intubation was also identified as a contributing factor in some cases.

Findings:

  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed uniform sensitivity of the C. pseudodiphtheriticum isolates to penicillin.
  • Erythromycin showed variable efficacy against the tested isolates.
  • The findings highlight specific risk factors for C. pseudodiphtheriticum-associated LRTI.

Implications:

  • Penicillin is a reliable treatment option for C. pseudodiphtheriticum LRTI.
  • Clinicians should consider C. pseudodiphtheriticum in the differential diagnosis of LRTI in patients with chronic lung disease or recent intubation.
  • Further research into the pathogenicity and resistance patterns of C. pseudodiphtheriticum is warranted.

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