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Case Reports
. 2012 May 8:2012:bcr1020114894.
doi: 10.1136/bcr.10.2011.4894.

Diphtheroids as a cause of endocarditis in a haemodialysis patient

Rajeev Peeyush Nagassar  1 , Alison Merle Nicholson, Winston Williams, Roma Jaanki Bridgelal-Nagassar
Affiliations
Case Reports

Diphtheroids as a cause of endocarditis in a haemodialysis patient

Rajeev Peeyush Nagassar et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

The authors report a fatal case of Corynebacterium sp. endocarditis. Corynebacterium spp. are non-sporulating, pleomorphic Gram-positive bacilli. In particular the authors have identified a species of Corynebacterium very closely related to C striatum. This is C simulans. The authors were able to identify the genus and species using various phenotypic tests. Highlighted here is the importance of identifying diphtheroids as a significant pathogen in the appropriate setting and the need to start antibiotic therapy if this is suspected.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests None.

References

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