Fatal Mycobacterium abscessus endocarditis misidentified as Corynebacterium spp.
The microbiological similarities of rapidly growing mycobacteria and corynebacteria impose potential for misidentification in the laboratory. This report describes a fatal case of infectious endocarditis caused by Mycobacterium abscessus, initially identified and treated as Corynebacterium spp. Acid-fast staining should be performed routinely when multiple blood cultures grow Corynebacterium spp.
Williamson
John C
JC
Department of Pharmacy, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. johnwill@wfubmc.edu
Miano
Todd A
TA
Morgan
Michael R
MR
Palavecino
Elizabeth L
EL
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003354:Corynebacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents