Corynebacterium propinquum isolated from a pus collection in a patient with an osteosynthesis of the elbow

Abstract

Background: Although non- diphtherial corynebacteria are ubiquitous in nature and commonly colonize the skin and mucous membranes of humans, they rarely account for clinical infections.
Aim: we report a case of infection due to non- diphtherial corynebacteria, Corynebacterium propinquum.
Case : A Tunisian male patient of 67 years old was admitted to orthopedic surgery and traumatology ward of Charles Nicolle university hospital of Tunis (Tunisia) for a left elbow trauma. He was treated by osteosynthesis and received an antibioprophylactic therapy with amoxicilline-clavulanate and gentamicin association. No postoperative incident was noted. When he was readmitted a month later for the osteosynthesis material removal, clinical examination found a pus collection in the operated elbow. Specimen analysis showed a Gram positive stained bacilli identified as C.propinquum. The organism was resistant only to penicillin G and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim association. The patient was treated with ofloxacin (2g per day for 8 days) and gentamicin (160mg per day for 5 days) with clinical improvement.
Conclusion: According to literature, infections due to C.propinquum are rare, occurring especially in patients with medical device or immunocompromised. Thus, this pathogen should be taken in consideration in such situations