Trueperella spp

• T. bernadiae
• T. pyogenes

Gram Stain

• Gram positive bacilli (aerobic)

Clinical Significance

These organisms may be part of the human respiratory and gastrointestinal flora.

T. bernadiae - associated with skin/soft tissue abscesses, prosthetic joint infections, brain abscesses, bursitis, septic thrombophlebitis, and urinary tract infections.

T. pyogenes - part of the normal flora of certain domesticated animals. It has been associated with skin/soft tissue infections, mastoiditis, septicemia, pneumonia, and endocarditis – possibly after exposure to farm animals (cattle/pig/sheep).

Usual Susceptibility Pattern

These organisms are typically susceptible to beta-lactams (penicillin/ceftriaxone), macrolides, tetracyclines, and rifampin.

Doxycycline and minocycline tend to have better activity than tetracycline.

They are resistant to TMP/SMX.

Quinolones and aminoglycosides do not have reliable activity.

Vancomycin resistance (Van A gene) has been reported.