Arcanobacterium haemolyticum, an aerobic Gram positive coryneform bacillus, was isolated from sputum of a 24 years old mal e complaining of asevere pharyngitis. This case is the first to be reported in Costa Rica. This agent has been reported associated with pharyngitis and systemic infections in immunocompetent adolescents and young adults in both Europe and the United States. The strain was isolated on conventional laboratory media and was highly susceptible to erythromycin, vancomycin and several beta lactamase antibiotics.

Arcanobacterium haemolyticum; pharyngitis