Tracheobronchitis due to Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum.
We have presented a case of tracheobronchitis due to C pseudodiphtheriticum in a patient with COPD who was treated with prednisone and apparently was not otherwise immunocompromised. Chronic lung disease seems to predispose to infection with C pseudodiphtheriticum; it can also occur in the immunocompetent host. This organism, when isolated in pure culture, should not be dismissed as a contaminant, but must be considered a possible etiologic agent. Sensitivity of diphtheroids to antibiotics is extremely variable. We believe vancomycin should be used in respiratory tract infections caused by diphtheroids, including C pseudodiphtheriticum, until the results of in vitro antibiotic susceptibility tests are available.
Craig
T J
TJ
Department of Internal Medicine, Naval Hospital, San Diego, Calif. 92134-5000.
Maguire
F E
FE
Wallace
M R
MR
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D003352:Corynebacterium / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003354:Corynebacterium Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D014136:Tracheitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents