Arcanobacterium haemolyticum

Background

• Non-motile beta-hemolytic, Gram-positive curved bacillus
• May be Gram-variable
• Previously known as Corynebacterium haemolyticum

Clinical Manifestations

• Most commonly causes pharyngitis, particularly in children and young adults
  • May have diphtheria-like tonsillar exudates
  • Rash in 25-50%, which may be urticarial, macular, or maculopapular
    • Typically on trunk and extremities, and spares the palms, soles, and face
• Next most common is skin and soft tissue infection, usually polymicrobial
• Also a case-reportable cause of meningitis, pneumonia, brain abscess, osteomyelitis, and peritonsillar abscess

Management

• Susceptible to most antibiotics, including penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, tetracyclines, macrolides, lincosamides, and vancomycin
• Not reliably susceptible to co-trimoxazole