Incidence and characteristics of urinary tract infections caused by Corynebacterium urealyticum (Corynebacterium group D2).

The incidence and characteristics of urinary tract infections caused by Corynebacterium urealyticum were studied prospectively in 20,766 urine samples. Corynebacterium urealyticum was isolated from 67 samples (0.32%). Twenty-four percent of the patients from whom Corynebacterium urealyticum was isolated showed mild symptoms and had no risk factors other than prolonged hospitalization and previous antibiotic treatment. Sixty percent of the patients had urinary tract-related symptoms. The main risk factors were underlying urinary tract disease, antibiotic treatment, prolonged hospitalization and urological manipulation. Patients with antimicrobial treatment had a favourable clinical course, with the exception of two patients with encrusted cystitis.