Erythrasma is caused by which organism?

Erythrasma is caused by which organism?

• A. Staphylococcus aureus
• B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• C. Streptococcus pyogenes
• D. Corynebacterium minutissimum

Answer: (D)

Erythrasma is a shallow skin infection caused by Corynebacterium minutissimum. This gram-positive, lipophilic rod normally lives on the surface of the skin but can overgrow in warm, moist folds (like the groin and armpits), producing well-defined, slightly scaly, brownish patches in intertriginous areas. A classic clue is coral-red fluorescence of the affected skin under a Wood’s lamp, due to porphyrin production by the organism, which helps distinguish it from fungal infections and other bacterial skin conditions. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pyogenes cause different skin infections (impetigo, folliculitis, cellulitis, erysipelas, etc.) and do not produce the same Wood’s lamp finding. Treatment is typically with topical macrolides or oral antibiotics if needed.

Erythrasma is a shallow skin infection caused by Corynebacterium minutissimum. This gram-positive, lipophilic rod normally lives on the surface of the skin but can overgrow in warm, moist folds (like the groin and armpits), producing well-defined, slightly scaly, brownish patches in intertriginous areas. A classic clue is coral-red fluorescence of the affected skin under a Wood’s lamp, due to porphyrin production by the organism, which helps distinguish it from fungal infections and other bacterial skin conditions. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pyogenes cause different skin infections (impetigo, folliculitis, cellulitis, erysipelas, etc.) and do not produce the same Wood’s lamp finding. Treatment is typically with topical macrolides or oral antibiotics if needed.