Chronic Breast Abscess Caused by Corynebacterium Kroppenstedtii

Corynebacterium is being increasingly isolated in specimens to be proven as a causative organism in clinical disease, especially breast abscesses and mastitis. Specifically, Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii lacks the typical mycolic acids of the cell envelope, requiring lipid rich areas to grow, hence the mammary areas being ideal for its proliferation. Conservative treatment is routinely first line in breast abscess, however commonly prescribed antibiotics such as beta lactams and fluoroquinolones, are hydrophilic and do not penetrate in lipid rich environments such as the breast, thus patients are left partially treated without complete resolution of the disease process. This case report highlights the importance of considering C. kroppenstedtii, especially if recurrent infection is seen. Microbiologists should be alerted to specialized growth conditions and tools for appropriate culture such that clinicians can use a multimodal approach with early surgical intervention alongside antibiotic treatment to maximize clinical cures and reduce recurrence.