Corynebacterium species - Overview
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| Corynebacterium | |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Actinobacteria |
| Order | Actinomycetales |
| Family | Corynebacteriaceae |
| Genus | Corynebacterium |
Overview
The Corynebacterium bacteria are common inhabitants of skin and mucous membranes of animals. They may cause opportunistic, pyogenic infections. Most species are host specific.
Characteristics
The Corynebacterium are small, tough, non-motile, Gram positive rods. They are pleomorphic and cluster together to resemble Chinese characters - coryneform morphology. They are known as diphtheroids and are catalase positive and oxidase negative. They are facultative anaerobes and require enriched media for growth.
Pathogenesis
The Corynebacterium species are pyogenic, causing suppurative infections except for C. bovis.
Diagnosis
To diagnose the Corynebacterium species, samples include pus, exudate, affected tissues and urine. The presence of coryneform organisms in smears is diagnostic. Culture on blood agar, selective blood agar and MacConkey agar are also diagnostic, they do not grow on MacConkey.
Literature Search
Use these links to find recent scientific publications via CAB Abstracts (log in required unless accessing from a subscribing organisation).
Corynebacterium spp. publications since 2000