Fatal case of bacteremia caused by an atypical strain of Corynebacterium mucifaciens.
Corynebacterium species have often been considered normal skin flora or contaminants; however, in recent years they have been increasingly implicated in serious infections. Moreover, many new species have been discovered and old species renamed, especially after molecular biology techniques were introduced. Corynebacterium mucifaciens is mainly isolated from blood and from other normally-sterile body fluids; it forms slightly yellow, mucoid colonies on blood agar. We report a fatal case of bacteremia due to an atypical strain of C. mucifaciens. This strain had atypical colony morphology; analysis of the 16S rRNA gene was used to define the species.
Cantarelli
Vlademir Vicente
VV
Molecular Biology section, Weinmann Laboratory LTDA, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. vcantarelli@weinmann.com.br
Brodt
Teresa Cristina Z
TC
Secchi
Carina
C
Inamine
Everton
E
Pereira
Fabiana de Souza
Fde S
Pilger
Diogo Andre
DA
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D003352:Corynebacterium / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003354:Corynebacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000032:analysis
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S