Corynebacterium urealyticum

Gram Stain

• Gram positive bacilli irregular club shaped (aerobic)

Clinical Significance

This organism is a frequent skin colonizer of hospitalized patients.

It is a cause of urinary tract infections in immunocompromised patients, elderly males with recent hospitalization/urologic manipulation, and patients with history of struvite stones or encrusted cystitis.

It has been associated with bacteremia, endocarditis, pneumonia, bone/joint, skin/soft tissue infections.

Usual Susceptibility Pattern

This organism often exhibits resistance to penicillin, clindamycin, tetracyclines, quinolones, and macrolides.