Corynebacterium Jeikeium Endocarditis: A Review of the Literature

Authors

Rahul Gupta
Tarun Popli
Purva Ranchal
Jagjit Khosla
Wilbert S. Aronow, New York Medical CollegeFollow
William H. Frishman, New York Medical CollegeFollow
Marc Y. El Khoury, New York Medical CollegeFollow

Author Type(s)

Faculty

Journal Title

Cardiology in Review

First Page

259

Last Page

262

Document Type

Review Article

Publication Date

9-2021

Department

Medicine

Abstract

Corynebacterium jeikeium is a gram-positive, aerobic, pleomorphic, nonspore forming bacillus, commonly present on the skin surface. Infective endocarditis secondary to C. jeikeium most commonly affects left-sided heart valves and has a higher likelihood to require valve replacement compared to other Corynebacterium endocarditis. C. jeikeium endocarditis is extremely difficult to treat as it is characteristically resistant to penicillin, cephalosporins and aminoglycosides, and sensitivity to quinolones, macrolides, tetracyclines and rifampin is variable. Despite treatment, mortality rates as high as 33% have been reported. We hereby review the literature regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of this deadly microorganism.

Recommended Citation

Gupta, R., Popli, T., Ranchal, P., Khosla, J., Aronow, W. S., Frishman, W. H., & El Khoury, M. Y. (2021). Corynebacterium Jeikeium Endocarditis: A Review of the Literature. Cardiology in Review, 29 (5), 259-262. https://doi.org/10.1097/CRD.0000000000000355