title: Fatal septic shock caused by Corynebacterium D2.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Septic shock remains one of the leading causes of mortality in critically ill patients. Optimal management depends on prompt diagnosis with identification of the causative organisms to allow appropriate antibiotic therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the first case of septic shock caused by Corynebacterium D2, a micro-organism that can cause encrusted cystitis and pyelitis of transplanted kidneys or, more rarely, native kidneys. Diagnosis rests on identification of risk factors, positive urine cultures, and computed tomography results. Despite optimal treatment our patient died with persistent encrusted pyelitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Corynebacterium D2 is known to cause chronic inflammation of the bladder and proximal urinary tract but can also cause severe septic shock in immunocompetent patients.
authors.affiliation: Medical-Surgical ICU, Saint Joseph Hospital, 185 rue Raymond Losserand, 75014, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Audard
authors.forename: Maité
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garrouste-Orgeas
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Misset
authors.forename: Adel Ben
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gattolliat
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meria
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carlet
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003352:Corynebacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003354:Corynebacterium Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000382:microbiology*