Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Infections caused by antibiotic-resistantCorynebacterium group D2

  • Review
  • Published:
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A coryneform bacteria known asCorynebacterium group D2 pending definitive taxonomic classification, has emerged as a human pathogen. Although first described 16 years ago, the organism has only recently been implicated in clinical infections. It differs from all previously recognized species ofCorynebacterium, and in common withCorynebacterium jeikeium exhibits a broad spectrum of antimicrobial resistance, being sensitive to only vancomycin, teicoplanin and some quinolones. The microorganism is mainly involved in urinary tract infections, and its strong urease activity seems to play an important role in its pathogenicity.Corynebacterium jeikeium and group D2 are very different from the clinical and microbiological point of view.Corynebacterium group D2, like other coryneform bacteria, may be isolated from healthy skin in hospitalized patients, mainly females, whileCorynebacterium jeikeium is more prevalent in males. Microbiologists should be aware that such a slow-growing microorganism may be responsible for clinical infections and should not be overlooked in routine cultures of clinical specimens.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Tow, A., Wechsler, H. F. Diphtheroid bacillus as a cause of acute endocarditis. American Journal of Diseases of Children 1932, 44: 156–161.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Lipsky, B. A., Goldberger, A. C., Tompkins, L. S., Plorde, J. J. Infections caused by non diphtheria corynebacteria. Reviews of Infectious Diseases 1982, 4: 1220–1235.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Coyle, M. B., Hollis, D. G., Groman, N. B. Corynebacterium spp. and other coryneform organisms. In: Lennette, E. H., Balows, A., Hausler, W. J., Shadomy, H. J. (ed.): Manual of clinical microbiology. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC, 1985, p. 193–204.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Hande, K. R., Witebsky, F. G., Brown, M. S., Schulman, C. B., Anderson, S. E., Levine, A. S., MacLowry, J. D., Chabner, B. A. Sepsis with a new species ofCorynebacterium. Annals of Internal Medicine 1976, 85: 423–426.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Jakobs, N. F., Perlino, C. A. Diphtheroid pneumonia. Southern Medical Journal 1979, 72: 475–476.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Soriano, F., Ponte, C., Santamaría, M., Aguado, J. M., Wilhelmi, I., Vela, R., Cifuentes, L. Corynebacterium group D2 as a cause of alkaline-encrusted cystitis: report of four cases and characterization of the organisms. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1985, 21: 788–792.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. King, E. O. The identification of unusual gram negative bacteria. United States Public Health Service, Washington, DC, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Jones, D., Collins, M. D. Irregular, non-sporing Grampositive rods. In: Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bactiology, Volume 2. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1986, p. 1261–1434.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Aguado, J. M., Ponte, C., Soriano, F. Bacteriuria by a multiresistantCorynebacterium species (Corynebacterium group D2). An unnoticed cause of urinary tract infection. Journal of Infectious Diseases 1987, 156: 144–150.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Soriano, F., Ponte, C., Santamaría, M., Castilla, C., Fernández-Roblas, R. In vitro and in vivo study of stone formation byCorynebacterium group D2 (Corynebacterium urealyticum). Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1986, 23: 691–694.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Soriano, F., Ponte, C., Santamaría, M., Fernández-Roblas, R. Struvite crystal formation byCorynebacterium group D2 in human urine and its prevention by acetohydroxamic acid. European Urology 1987, 13: 271–273.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Hager, B. H., Magath, T. B. The etiology of incrusted cystitis with alkaline urine. Journal of the American Medical Association 1925, 85: 1353–1355.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Randall, A., Campbell, S. N. Alkaline incrusted cystitis. Journal of Urology 1937, 37: 284–299.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Takebe, S., Numata, A., Kobashi, K. Stone formation byUreaplasma urealyticum in human urine and its prevention by urease inhibitors. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1984, 20: 869–873.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Ortí, T., Martin, A., Palafox, E., Bonilla, I. Infección urinaria porCorynebacterium spp: presentación de 8 casos. Medicina Clínica 1985, 85: 266–268.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Schoch, P. A., Ferragamo, M. A., Cunha, B. A. Corynebacterium group D2 pyelonephritis. Urology 1987, 29: 66–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Van Bosterhaut, B., Claeys, G., Gigi, J., Wauters, G. Isolation ofCorynebacterium group D2 from clinical specimens. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1987, 6: 418–419.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Marshall, R. J., Routh, K. R., MacGowan, A. P. Corynebacterium CDC group D2 bacteraemia. Journal of Clinical Pathology 1987, 40: 813–815.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Cifuentes, L. Cistitis incrustadas. In: Cifuentes, L. (ed.): Cistitis y cistopatias. Paz Montalvo, Madrid, 1947, p. 195–210.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Rodriguez-Talrá, J., Serrate, R. Cistitis incrustante. Archivos Españoles de Urología 1978, 31: 541–556.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Aubert, J., Dore, B., Touchard, G., Loetitia, G. La cystite incrustée á urine alcaline. Journal d'Urologie 1982, 88: 359–363.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Vilaseca, J., Martínez, J. M., Angel, J., Fernández, F., Villanueva, C., Guardia, J., Tornos, J., Bacardi, R. Endocarditis porCorynebacterium. Revista Clinica Española 1973, 129: 207–210.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Young, V. M., Meyers, W. F., Moody, M. R., Schimpff, S. C. The emergence of coryneform bacteria as a cause of nosocomial infections in compromised hosts. American Journal of Medicine 1981, 70: 646–650.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Larson, E. L., McGinley, K. J., Leyden, J. J., Cooley, M. E., Talbot, G. H. Skin colonization with antibiotic-resistant (JK group) and antibiotic-sensitive lipophilic diphtheroids in hospitalized and normal adults. Journal of Infectious Diseases 1986, 153: 701–706.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Gill, V. J., Manning, C., Lamson, M., Woltering, P., Pizzo, P. A. Antibiotic-resistant group JK bacteria in hospitals. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1981, 13: 472–477.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Stamm, W. E., Tompkins, L. S., Wagner, K. F., Counts, G. W., Thomas, E. D., Meyers, J. D. Infection due toCorynebacterium species in marrow transplant patients. Annals of Internal Medicine 1979, 91: 167–173.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. François, J. J. La cystite incrustée. Journal d'Urologie Médicale et Chirurgicale 1914, 5: 35–52.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Riley, P. S., Hollis, D. G., Utter, G. B., Weaver, R. E., Baker, C. N. Characterization and identification of 95 diphtheroid (group JK) cultures isolated from clinical specimens. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1979, 9: 418–424.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Santamaría, M., Ponte, C., Wilhelmi, I., Soriano, F. Antimicrobial susceptibility ofCorynebacterium group D2. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 1985, 28: 845–846.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Fernández-Roblas, R., Prieto, S., Santamaría, M., Ponte, C., Soriano, F. Activity of nine antimicrobial agents againstCorynebacterium group D2 strains isolated from clinical specimens and skin. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 1987, 31: 821–822.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Soriano, F., Ponte, C., Santamaría, M., Torres, A., Fernández-Roblas, R. Susceptibility of urinary isolates ofCorynebacterium group D2 to fifteen antimicrobials and acetohydroxamid acid. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 1987, 20: 349–355.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Avenida Reyes Católicos 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain

    F. Soriano & R. Fernández-Roblas

Authors
  1. F. Soriano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. Fernández-Roblas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Soriano, F., Fernández-Roblas, R. Infections caused by antibiotic-resistantCorynebacterium group D2. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 7, 337–341 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01962333

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01962333

Keywords

Search

Navigation