Corynebacterium propinquum Keratitis Identified Using MALDI-TOF

Paul R. Badenoch, Lisa J. O'Daniel, Rolf P. Wise, James A. Slattery, Richard A. Mills

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    7 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Purpose: To report a corneal infection due to Corynebacterium propinquum identified using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) method. Methods: A 94-year-old woman presented with suppurative keratitis. Her ocular history included Fuchs corneal dystrophy, corneal transplantation, and glaucoma. A gram-stained smear revealed coryneforms. Colonies on bacterial culture media were assayed by MALDI-TOF. Results: Identification of C. propinquum was confirmed by RNA polymerase b subunit (rpoB) gene sequencing. The patient was treated with topical cefazolin, gentamicin, and fluorometholone, and her vision improved to 20/160 unaided when last seen. Conclusions: MALDI-TOF can correctly identify isolates that are both uncommon and difficult to distinguish from related species. The ease and low running costs of this method will improve the laboratory iagnosis of ocular infections.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)686-687
    Number of pages2
    JournalCornea
    Volume35
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - May 2016

    Keywords

    • corneal transplantation
    • Corynebacterium propinquum
    • Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum
    • keratitis
    • matrixassisted laser desorption ionization

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