Corynebacterium diphtheriae endocarditis

Corynebacterium diphtheriae endocarditis: a case series and review of the treatment approach

“…These five cases were excluded from further analysis. Of the remaining 12 cases, nine received a b-lactam with a nonaminoglycoside agent: chloramphenicol (n = 3), 19,20 vancomycin (n = 3), 16,18,24 erythromycin (n = 1), 11 trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (n = 1), 20 and doxycycline and rifampin (n = 1), 22 and three were treated with non-b-lactam regimens: erythromycin, 8,27 clindamycin-ciprofloxacin combination therapy, 27 and sulphapyridine. 19,21 Treatment duration was available for 29 cases and mostly ranged from 4 to 8 weeks (18 of 29), but longer durations have been reported.…”

The Pathology of Diphtheria

“…Small foci of interstitial hemorrhage were present in the skin, renal cortex, lung, and liver. C. diphtheriae sepsis can lead to endocarditis [23].…”

Non-Toxigenic corynebacterium diphtheriae causing subacute bacterial endocarditis: Case report

“…Leucocyte function tests were not performed but the white cell count and differential were NON-TOXIGENIC C. DIPHTHERIAE ENDOCARDITIS 535 normal on admission. The two cases reported by Davidson et al (1976) also occurred in children without any evidence of impaired immunity.…”

“…The reason for this is not known. It is however noted that both cases reported by Davidson et al (1976) showed a poor response to penicillin despite M.I.C. measurements suggesting sensitive organisms.…”

“…C. diphtheriae is not usually invasive and is seldom isolated from blood culture. However, in 1976 the first case report of endocarditis due to a non-toxigenic strain of C. diphtheriae appeared in the literature (Davidson et al, 1976). The authors described 2 cases occurring in young children, one of which had a fatal outcome.…”