Multiple pulmonary nodules caused by Corynebacterium striatum in an immunocompetent patient

• Published in: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo Vol. 56; no. 1; pp. 89 - 91
• Main Authors: Severo, Cecília Bittencourt, Guazzelli, Luciana Silva, Barra, Marinez Bizarro, Hochhegger, Bruno, Severo, Luiz Carlos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo 01-01-2014; Instituto de Medicina Tropical; Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
• Subjects: Aged; Case Report; Corynebacterium Infections - diagnosis; Corynebacterium Infections - microbiology; Corynebacterium striatum; Female; Humans; Immunocompetence; Multiple nodules; Multiple Pulmonary Nodules - diagnosis; Multiple Pulmonary Nodules - microbiology; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Multiple nodules; Corynebacterium striatum
• ISSN: 0036-4665; 1678-9946; 1678-9946; 0036-4665
• DOI: 10.1590/s0036-46652014000100015

Nondiphtherial corynebacteria are ubiquitous in nature and commonly colonize the skin and mucous membranes of humans, however they rarely account for clinical infection. We present the first reported case of multiple pulmonary nodules caused by Corynebacterium striatum. The infection occurred in a 72-year-old immunocompetent female, and the diagnosis was obtained by Gram's stain and culture of lung biopsy. C. striatum should be recognized as a potential pathogen in both immunocompromised and normal hosts in the appropriate circumstances.