An opportunistic infection with Corynebacterium pyogenes producing empyema.

This is a report of a documented case of empyema caused by Corynebacterium pyogenes , successfully treated with penicillin, in a patient presenting with widespread carcinoma of the breast. Also included are a review of the biochemical and cultural characteristics of the organism and a survey of the world's literature on the subject of human infection caused by this bacterium.