Successful Treatment of Granulomatous Mastitis Associated With Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii With Prolonged Antimicrobial Therapy

Granulomatous mastitis is a rare breast disease that classically occurs in parous women of reproductive age. In recent years, an association has been reported between this condition and Corynebacterium species, which are gram-positive bacilli that are endogenous to the skin. We describe a case of granulomatous mastitis associated with Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii, a lipophilic organism with an affinity for the lipid-rich mammary glands. We highlight the need to consider this pathogen to guide investigation and describe the diagnostic challenges related to isolation and identification of the organism. In addition, we report on successful treatment of the patient with a prolonged course of a combination of clarithromycin and rifampin. Correspondence to: Ruth Waldron, MB BCh BAO, MRCPI, FRCPath(UK), Department of Clinical Microbiology, Galway University Hospital, Newcastle Rd, Galway, H91 YR71, Ireland. E-mail: Ruth.waldron01@gmail.com; and Brian O'Connell, MBBChBAO, FRCPI, FRCPath(UK), Department of Clinical Microbiology, University of Dublin, Trinity College, St. James's Hospital, Dublin D03 VX82, Ireland. boconnell@stjames.ie. The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose. Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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