Arcanobacterium haemolyticum bacteraemia and soft-tissue infections: case report and review of the literature.

Five cases of bacteraemia with Arcanobacterium haemolyticum in association with soft-tissue infections are reported from immunocompetent patients. A review of all A. haemolyticum isolates from our institution over a three-year period reveals that 94% were cultured from patients with soft-tissue infections, and 72% of all patients had concomitant diabetes mellitus. Arcanobacterium haemolyticum is an uncommon cause of bacteraemic soft-tissue infections, and diabetes mellitus may be an associated risk factor.