[Three adult cases with Corynebacterium propinquum respiratory infections in a community hospital].
Corynebacterium propinquum, which is included in Corynebacterium group ANF-3, exists as a commensal in the oral flora. This organism has not yet been fully recognized as a respiratory pathogen. We previously reported that the first case with respiratory infection caused by C. propinquum. On the other hand, Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum is recognized as a causative organism in respiratory infections. Recently we experienced two cases with C. propinquum respiratory infections in our hospital. Three types of the onset such as a community-acquired infection, a hospital-acquired infection, and a nursing home acquired infections were observed. Our analysis indicated that gram staining of the purulent sputum is an essential tool to evaluate whether C. propinquum is a respiratory pathogen or not, because this organism is a commensal bacteria.
Motomura
Kazushi
K
Department of Internal Medicine, Tagami Hospital, Nagasaki.
Masaki
Hironori
H
Terada
Mayumi
M
Onizuka
Tomoko
T
Shimogama
Seiji
S
Furumoto
Akitsugu
A
Asoh
Norichika
N
Watanabe
Kiwao
K
Oishi
Kazunori
K
Nagatake
Tsuyoshi
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D003352:Corynebacterium / Q000472:pathogenicity; D003354:Corynebacterium Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000382:microbiology*