Corynebacterium propinquum isolated from a pus collection in a patient with an osteosynthesis of the elbow.

BACKGROUND

Although non- diphtherial corynebacteria are ubiquitous in nature and commonly colonize the skin and mucous membranes of humans, they rarely account for clinical infections.

AIM

we report a case of infection due to non- diphtherial corynebacteria, Corynebacterium propinquum.

CASE

A Tunisian male patient of 67 years old was admitted to orthopedic surgery and traumatology ward of Charles Nicolle university hospital of Tunis (Tunisia) for a left elbow trauma. He was treated by osteosynthesis and received an antibioprophylactic therapy with amoxicilline-clavulanate and gentamicin association. No postoperative incident was noted. When he was readmitted a month later for the osteosynthesis material removal, clinical examination found a pus collection in the operated elbow. Specimen analysis showed a Gram positive stained bacilli identified as C. propinquum. The organism was resistant only to penicillin G and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim association. The patient was treated with ofloxacin (2 g per day for 8 days) and gentamicin (160 mg per day for 5 days) with clinical improvement.

CONCLUSION

According to literature, infections due to C. propinquum are rare, occurring especially in patients with medical device or immunocompromised. Thus, this pathogen should be taken in consideration in such situations.