Isolation of Corynebacterium freneyi from a case of exudative pharyngitis, a close mimicker of Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Corynebacterium freneyi is a recently described coryneform bacteria. It is only rarely identified from clinical specimens and its pathogenic significance has not been well studied. Here we report the isolation of the species from the throat swab of a patient with suspected diphtheria. The morphology on direct microscopy and culture also closely resembled Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which almost led to misidentification. The prompt clinical and microbiological response suggests a probable pathogenic role. This is the first report of the isolation of this species from an oropharyngeal sample.