Erythrasma laboratory findings
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Luke Rusowicz-Orazem, B.S.
Overview
Overview
Laboratory tests performed for suspected erythrasma include those that confirm a Corynebacterium minitissimum infection. The most common laboratory test is a Wood’s lamp examination; coral-red fluorescence is indicative of Corynebacterium minitissimum. A culture may be performed to specify the pathogen; Corynebacterium minutissimum will present as non-hemolytic smooth colonies that are 1-1.5mm in size. Gram stain analysis of Corynebacterium minitissimum may reveal slightly curved bacterial rods that display violet or blue coloration, indicative of gram positive.
Laboratory Findings
Laboratory Findings
Wood’s Lamp Examination
- A Wood’s lamp examination is commonly performed on patients with suspected erythrasma to determine a Corynebacterium minitissimum infection.[1]
- Coral-red fluorescence is indicative of Corynebacterium minitissimum, as a result of produced coproporphyrin III.[2][3]
Culture
- An epidermal swab of the affected region may provide samples of the pathogenic Corynebacterium minitissimum.[4]
- Corynebacterium minutissimum will present as non-hemolytic smooth colonies that are 1-1.5mm in size.[5]
- Corynebacterium minutissimum can be distinguished from other serotypes by its lack of necessity for lipids to grow in vitro.[6]
- Due to the 2-3 week incubation requirements and the low sensitivity, culture analysis is not effective as a sole diagnostic measure.[7]
Gram staining
- Gram stain analysis of Corynebacterium minitissimum, a gram-positive will reveal the following:[8]
- Violet or blue coloration due to gram-positive rods reacting with the gram-stain
- Slightly curved bacterial rods[9]
References
References
- ↑ Blasco-Morente G, Arias-Santiago S, Pérez-López I, Martínez-López A (2016). “Coral-Red Fluorescence of Erythrasma Plaque”. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 16 (3): e381–2. doi:10.18295/squmj.2016.16.03.023. PMC 4996308. PMID 27606125.
- ↑ Blasco Morente G, Martínez Peinado C, Martínez García E, Tercedor Sánchez J (2014). “[Wood’s lamp in congenital erythropoietic porphyria]”. An Pediatr (Barc) (in Spanish; Castilian). 81 (6): 403–4. doi:10.1016/j.anpedi.2014.01.005. PMID 24525168.
- ↑ Wilson BB, Wagenseller A, Noland MM (2012). “An atypical presentation of erythrasma”. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 67 (5): e217–8. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2012.04.004. PMID 23062922.
- ↑ Holdiness MR (2002). “Management of cutaneous erythrasma”. Drugs. 62 (8): 1131–41. PMID 12010076.
- ↑ Karakatsanis G, Vakirlis E, Kastoridou C, Devliotou-Panagiotidou D (2004). “Coexistence of pityriasis versicolor and erythrasma”. Mycoses. 47 (7): 343–5. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0507.2004.00997.x. PMID 15310342.
- ↑ Coyle MB, Lipsky BA (1990). “Coryneform bacteria in infectious diseases: clinical and laboratory aspects”. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 3 (3): 227–46. PMC 358157. PMID 2116939.
- ↑ Sariguzel FM, Koc AN, Yagmur G, Berk E (2014). “Interdigital foot infections: Corynebacterium minutissimum and agents of superficial mycoses”. Braz. J. Microbiol. 45 (3): 781–4. PMC 4204958. PMID 25477907.
- ↑ Granok, Alexander B.; Benjamin, Patti; Garrett, Lee S. (2002). “Corynebacterium minutissimumBacteremia in an Immunocompetent Host with Cellulitis”. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 35 (4): e40–e42. doi:10.1086/341981. ISSN 1058-4838.
- ↑ Shin JY, Lee WK, Seo YH, Park YS (2014). “Postoperative Abdominal Infection Caused by Corynebacterium minutissimum”. Infect Chemother. 46 (4): 261–3. doi:10.3947/ic.2014.46.4.261. PMC 4285009. PMID 25566407.
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