Cutaneous manifestations of Corynebacterium jeikeium sepsis

• Published in: International journal of dermatology Vol. 48; no. 8; pp. 886 - 888
• Main Authors: Olson, Jonathan M., Nguyen, Viet Q., Yoo, Jane, Kuechle, Melanie K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-08-2009; Blackwell
• Subjects: Bacterial diseases; Bacterial sepsis; Biological and medical sciences; Corynebacterium Infections - diagnosis; Corynebacterium Infections - epidemiology; Corynebacterium jeikeium; Dermatitis - diagnosis; Dermatitis - epidemiology; Dermatitis - microbiology; Dermatology; Erythema - diagnosis; Erythema - epidemiology; Erythema - microbiology; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Myelodysplastic Syndromes - epidemiology; Risk Factors; Sepsis - diagnosis; Sepsis - epidemiology; Sepsis - microbiology; Infection; Sepsis syndrome; Skin disease; Corynebacterium; Dermatology; Bacteriosis; Bacteria; Actinomycetes; Corynebacteriaceae; Bacteremia
• ISSN: 0011-9059; 1365-4632
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2008.03984.x

Corynebacterium jeikeium is a rare but increasingly important cause of septicemia in neutropenic patients that can present with characteristic cutaneous findings. A 61‐year‐old man with myelodysplastic syndrome developed C. jeikeium sepsis and an erythematous papular eruption while neutropenic from induction chemotherapy. A review of the English language literature shows only six reported cases of hemorrhagic or erythematous papular eruption in C. jeikeium sepsis. The case is presented with an updated literature review of the history, risk factors, and treatment.