Corynebacterium (redirected from corynebacteria)

Corynebacterium /Co·ry·ne·bac·te·ri·um/ (-bak-tēr´e-um) a genus of bacteria including C. ac´nes, a species present in acne lesions, C. diphthe´riae, the etiologic agent of diphtheria, C. minutis´simum, the etiologic agent of erythrasma, and C. pseudodiphtheri´ticum, a nonpathogenic species present in the respiratory tract.

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co·ry·ne·bac·te·ri·um (kôr-n-bk-tîr-m, k-rn-)

n.

Any of various gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Corynebacterium.

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Corynebacterium

[kôr′inē′baktir′ē·əm]

Etymology: Gk, koryne, club, bakterion, small staff

a common genus of aerobic and facultative, anaerobic, gram-positive, nonmotile, rod-shaped curved bacilli that includes many species. The most common pathogenic species are C. acnes, commonly found in acne lesions, and C. diphtheriae, the cause of diphtheria. Nondiptherial corynebacteria have been recognized as pathogenic, especially in immunocompromised patients. The most common infection with these organisms is bacteremia in association with infections involving devices such as heart valves, catheters, and neurologic shunts. See also Propionibacterium.

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Corynebacterium [ko-ri″ne-bak-tēr´e-um]

a genus of gram-positive, nonmotile, straight to slightly curved rod-shaped bacteria. It includes both pathogenic and nonpathogenic organisms, which are widely distributed in nature. Species include C. ac´nes, found in acne lesions; C. diphthe´riae, the etiologic agent of diphtheria; C. haemoly´ticum, found in pharyngitis and skin ulcers; C. minutis´simum, the causative agent of erythrasma; C. pseudodiphtheri´ticum, a nonpathogenic inhabitant of the upper respiratory tract; C. te´nuis, the causative agent of trichomycosis axillaris; C. ul´cerans, which causes nasopharyngeal infections; and C. xero´sis, an opportunistic pathogen found on the skin and mucous membranes and in the conjunctival sac.

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Corynebacterium (kor´nēbakter´ēm),

n a common genus of rod-shaped, curved bacilli. The most common pathogenic species are
C. acnes, commonly found in acne lesions, and
C. diphtheriae, the cause of diphtheria.

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Corynebacterium

a genus of bacteria of the family corynebacteriaceae. They are gram-positive and show a variety of morphologies. They are short, slightly curved rods, sometimes club-shaped. Likely to be grouped into angled and palisade arrays of cells. The type species is Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the cause of diphtheria in humans.

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Corynebacterium bovis

a common inhabitant of the bovine udder but not considered to be a pathogen. May have importance in protecting the udder from more damaging pathogens.

Corynebacterium (previously Eubacterium, now Actinobaculum) cystitidis

causes contagious bovine pyelonephritis.

Corynebacterium equi

now called rhodococcus equi.

Corynebacterium kutscheri

causes systemic abscessation in rodents similar to caseous lymphadenitis in sheep. Previously called C. murium.

Corynebacterium minutissimum

found in wound infections in lambs.

Corynebacterium parvum

now called Propionibacterium acnes.

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis

cause of caseous lymphadenitis of sheep and goats, ulcerative lymphangitis, and canadian horsepox and pectoral abscesses of horses. Previously called C. ovis.

Corynebacterium pyogenes

(now called Arcanobacterium) pyogenes, previously Actinomyces pyogenes.

Corynebacterium rathayi

see clavibacter toxicus.

Corynebacterium renale

previously classified as types I, II and III, but now allocated separate names of C. renale, C. pilosum and C. cystitidis, respectively. Causes contagious bovine pyelonephritis, and balanoposthitis of bulls, and plays a large part in causing enzootic balanoposthitis in sheep.

Corynebacterium suis

recently called Eubacterium suis; now called Actinobaculum suis.

Corynebacterium ulcerans

a rare cause of subacute bovine mastitis, but a recognized risk for people who drink raw milk.

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Corynebacterium

A genus of small, nonmotile, gram-positive bacteria which come in a number of shapes from straight and curved rods to club shapes; most are facultative anaerobes with some similarities to mycobacteria and nocardiae