Corynebacterium bovis Surgical Site Infection and Abscess Formation: A Case Report

TL;DR

A rare case of human infection caused by Corynebacterium bovis is reported, successfully treated with doxycycline.

Contribution

This case report adds to the limited global knowledge of C. bovis infections in humans and suggests effective treatment options.

Findings

Corynebacterium bovis was identified as the cause of a post-surgical eyelid abscess in a 69-year-old woman.

Oral doxycycline successfully resolved the infection without complications.

This is only the 11th reported case of C. bovis infection in the United States.

Abstract

Corynebacterium bovis
is primarily known for causing mastitis in cows.
C. bovis
infection in humans is quite rare with only 11 cases reported in the United States and 26 globally. A 69‐year‐old female presented with a left lower eyelid abscess following removal of a retained suture after bilateral upper and lower blepharoplasty. The abscess was drained, and bacterial culture identified
C. bovis
. The patient was treated with oral doxycycline with complete resolution of the infection. No intraorbital, intracranial or blood infections resulted from the superficial infection. The authors of this report hope to provide guidance to clinicians on treatment options for successful eradication of human soft tissue infection caused by this bacterium.