Bloodstream infection caused by nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae in an immunocompromised host in the United States

Abstract

Corynebacterium species are well-known causes of catheter-related bloodstream infections. Toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae cause respiratory diphtheria. We report a bloodstream infection caused by a nontoxigenic strain of C. diphtheriae and discuss the epidemiology, possible sources of the infection, and the implications of rapid species identification of corynebacteria. Copyright © 2012, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.