Corynebacterium

Corynebacterium is a genus of bacteria that are Gram-positive and aerobic. They are rod-shaped, and are commonly found in nature in the soil and water. Some species are part of the normal flora of animals, including the skin of humans. A few species can be pathogenic.

Classification

Corynebacterium species are Gram-positive, aerobic, nonmotile, non-spore-forming rods. They are characterized by the presence of metachromatic granules in their cytoplasm. These granules are made of polyphosphate and are used by the bacteria as a source of energy.

Pathogenic species

Several species of Corynebacterium are pathogenic to humans. The most significant of these is Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the causative agent of diphtheria. Other pathogenic species include Corynebacterium ulcerans and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis.

Non-pathogenic species

Many species of Corynebacterium are non-pathogenic and are part of the normal flora of the skin, mucous membranes, and oropharynx of humans and animals. These include Corynebacterium amycolatum, Corynebacterium accolens, and Corynebacterium aurimucosum.

Treatment

Treatment of infections caused by Corynebacterium species depends on the species and the site of infection. For diphtheria, treatment involves the administration of diphtheria antitoxin and antibiotics such as penicillin or erythromycin. For other Corynebacterium infections, antibiotics such as vancomycin, daptomycin, or linezolid may be used.

See also

• List of bacterial genera
• Gram-positive bacteria
• Bacterial taxonomy

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