A microbiological and clinical review on Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii

Abstract

The genus Corynebacterium represents a taxon of Gram-positive bacteria with a high G+C content in the genomic DNA. Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii is an unusual member of this taxon as it lacks the characteristic mycolic acids in the cell envelope. Genome sequence analysis of the C. kroppenstedtii type strain has revealed a lipophilic (lipid-requiring) lifestyle and a remarkable repertoire of carbohydrate uptake and utilization systems. Clinical isolates of C. kroppenstedtii have been obtained almost exclusively from female patients and mainly from breast abscesses and cases of granulomatous mastitis. However, the role of C. kroppenstedtii in breast pathologies remains unclear. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the taxonomy, microbiology, and microbiological identification of C. kroppenstedtii, including polyphasic phenotypic approaches, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and the use of 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A clinical review presents reported cases, various antimicrobial treatments, antibiotic susceptibility assays, and antibiotic resistance genes detected during genome sequencing. C. kroppenstedtii must be considered a potential opportunistic human pathogen and should be identified accurately in clinical laboratories.

Characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility of one antibiotic-sensitive and one multidrug-resistant Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii strain isolated from patients with granulomatous mastitis

“…The new C. kroppenstedtii isolates showed the typical phenotypic characteristics previously described for this microorganism [18]. Identification of this bacterium was achieved by phenotypic methods including the API Coryne obtaining profiles of 2100104 and 2140104 after 24 and 48 hours respectively, with additional tests needed for a full phenotypic identification.…”

“…the dependency of bacterial growth on the presence of lipids) is the dominant feature involved in pathogenicity of C. kroppenstedtii [2]. The role of this organism as a cause or complicating factor of granulomatous mastitis has been demonstrated by several authors [18], but such a disease seems to be a complex entity in which the presence of C. kroppenstedtii could be just one piece of an as-yet unsolved puzzle [18]. Further clinical and histopathologic studies are still necessary to clarify its real role in such a disease.…”

“…From animal sources, a case of external otitis associated with this organism was reported in a peach-faced lovebird [17]. A comprehensive microbiologic and clinical review of this organism has been published recently [18].…”

Novel selective medium for the isolation ofcorynebacterium kroppenstedtiifrom heavily colonised clinical specimens

“…These sites have not previously been reported to have C. kroppenstedtii . While C. kroppenstedtii , like many other Corynebacterium species, were considered part of normal human microbiota,17 the exact niche of this organism is unknown. Our data suggested that C. kroppenstedtii could be part of the normal commensal flora of the female genital tract, with newborns acquiring the bacteria during passage through the maternal genital tract.…”

Corynebacteriumamycolatum causing breast abscess: An infecting Diphtheroid with a difference

“…In literature, breast tissue infections due to C. kroppenstedtii has been reported more frequently in comparison to C. amycolatum. [2,8] This may be because of the lipophilic nature of C. kroppenstedtii.C. accolens which is also lipophilic has also been reported from case of breast abscess associated with granulomatous mastitis.…”