An Increase in Invasive Infections due to Corynebacterium striatum at an Academic Medical Center

BACKGROUND: After identifying an increase in invasive infections due to Corynebacterium striatum (CS) in 2016, we evaluated the epidemiology of C. striatum (CS) infections in our system. METHODS: We reviewed microbiology records to determine the number of patients with cultures growing CS from 1/1/14 to 12/31/16. Prior to 11/2015, diphtheroids identified from sterile body sites were sent to a reference lab for identification (ID); beginning in 11/2015, MALDI-TOF was used by the microbiology lab for CS ID. Two infectious diseases physicians reviewed charts of all 2016 cases using a standardized data collection tool and determined whether patients had infection vs. colonization. RESULTS: We identified 3,6, and 50 patients with cultures growing CS in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively. Thirty-six (72%) of the patients in 2016 were felt to have true infection. Skin and soft-tissue infections and osteomyelitis were the most common sites (Figure). The majority of infected patients were immunocompetent, had community-acquired (CA) infections, received antibiotics in the prior 60 days, and required prolonged courses of antimicrobial treatment (Table). No epidemiologic link was identified for nosocomial or CA infections. CONCLUSION: The notable increase in clinically significant CS infections at our institution warrants further investigation. Whole genome sequencing may offer insight into whether a specific clone is responsible for more invasive disease. DISCLOSURES: D. Sexton, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. UpToDate: Collaborator, Royalty Recipient