Bloodstream Infection Caused by Nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriaein an Immunocompromised Host in the United States

ABSTRACTCorynebacteriumspecies are well-known causes of catheter-related bloodstream infections. Toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriaecause respiratory diphtheria. We report a bloodstream infection caused by a nontoxigenic strain of C. diphtheriaeand discuss the epidemiology, possible sources of the infection, and the implications of rapid species identification of corynebacteria.