Corynebacterium propinquum endocarditis: a confounding presentation of a rare entity

Cardiovasc Pathol. 2017 May-Jun:28:71-73. doi: 10.1016/j.carpath.2017.03.006. Epub 2017 Mar 22.

Abstract

Infective endocarditis is rarely caused by Corynebacterium species. We report a unique case of Corynebacterium propinquum endocarditis in an otherwise healthy individual, and it is the first example of this organism causing culture-negative endocarditis. Conflicting clinical and microbiological data led to the use of sequencing to confirm the causative organism. This case illustrates C. propinquum as a cause of infective endocarditis, and it demonstrates the utility of ancillary molecular diagnostic techniques to identify etiologic agents in difficult cases of infective endocarditis.

Keywords: 16S Ribosomal sequencing; Corynebacterium propinquum; Infective endocarditis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aortic Valve / drug effects
  • Aortic Valve / microbiology*
  • Aortic Valve / pathology
  • Ceftriaxone / therapeutic use
  • Corynebacterium / classification*
  • Corynebacterium / drug effects
  • Corynebacterium / genetics
  • Corynebacterium / isolation & purification
  • Corynebacterium Infections / diagnosis
  • Corynebacterium Infections / drug therapy
  • Corynebacterium Infections / microbiology*
  • Corynebacterium Infections / pathology
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Ribotyping*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Ceftriaxone