Surgical Site Infection by Corynebacterium macginleyi in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Corynebacterium (C.) macginleyi is a gram positive, lipophilic rod, usually considered a colonizer of skin and mucosal surfaces. Several reports haveassociated C. macginleyi with ocular infections, such as conjunctivitis andendophthalmitis. However, even if rare, extraocular infections from C. macginleyimay occur, especially among immunocompromised patients and patients withindwelling medical devices. We report herein the first case of surgical siteinfection by C. macginleyi after orthopaedic surgery for the correction ofkyphoscoliosis in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1. Our patient developed a nodular granulomatous lesion of about two centimetres along the surgical scar, at the level of C4-C5, with purulent discharge and formation of a fistuloustract. Cervical magnetic resonance imaging showed the presence of atwo-centimetre fluid pocket in the subcutaneous tissue. Several swabs werecollected from the borders of the lesion as well as from the exudate, withisolation of C. macginleyi. The isolate was susceptible to beta-lactams,cotrimoxazole, linezolid, and glycopeptides but resistant to quinolones,third-generation cephalosporins, and erythromycin. Two 30-day courses ofantibiotic therapy with amoxicillin/clavulanate (1 g three times/day) andcotrimoxazole (800/160 mg twice a day) were administered, obtaining a completehealing of the lesion.