Infectious Disease Compendium

Arcanobacterium

Microbiology

Gram-positive rod, A. haemolyticum (used to be Corynebacterium). Also Arcanobacterium (Actinomyces) bernardiae, Arcanobacterium (Actinomyces) pyogenes and a variety of others.

Epidemiologic Risks

Humans are the source.

Syndromes

A. haemolyticum: Pharyngitis that looks like group A Streptococcus, perhaps 2-3% of sore throats, with a scarlatiniform rash (a rash with a sandpaper feel). Occasionally will infect chronic skin ulcers and cellulitis (PubMed).

Sepsis with Arcanobacterium hemolyticum.

A hodegepodge of case reports of odd infections.

Treatment

Anything: penicillin, cephalosporins, macrolides, vancomycin, and doxycycline are all effective.

Notes

Arcanobacterium wilhelmae sp. nov., was isolated from the genital tract of a rhinoceros (not a specimen I would want to obtain) and Arcanobacterium pinnipediorum sp. nov., was found in a harbor seal.

Last update: 01/01/20