Corynebacterium

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.

Corynebacterium

(kŏ-rī'nē-bak-tēr'ē-ŭm),

A genus of nonmotile (except for some plant pathogens), aerobic to anaerobic bacteria (family Corynebacteriaceae) containing irregularly staining, gram-positive, straight to slightly curved, often club-shaped rods that, as a result of snapping division, may show a picket fence arrangement. These organisms are widely distributed in nature. The best known species are parasites and pathogens of humans and domestic animals. The type species is Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

[G. coryne, a club, + bacterium, a small rod]

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cor·y·ne·bac·te·ri·um

, pl.

cor·y·ne·bac·te·ri·a

(kŏ-rī'nē-bak-tēr'ē-ŭm, -ă),

A vernacular term used to refer to any member of the genus Corynebacterium.

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.

corynebacterium

(kôr′ə-nē-băk-tîr′ē-əm, kə-rĭn′ə-)

n. pl. corynebac·teria (-tîr′ē-ə)

Any of various gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria of the genus Corynebacterium, which includes many animal and plant pathogens, such as the causative agent of diphtheria.

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. Nondiphtherial 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 neurological shunts. See also Propionibacterium.

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

Cor·y·ne·bac·te·ri·um

(kŏ-rī'nē-bak-tēr'ē-ŭm)

A genus of nonmotile (except for some plant pathogens), aerobic to facultatively anaerobic bacteria (family Corynebacteriaceae) containing irregularly staining, gram-positive, straight to slightly curved, often club-shaped rods that, as a result of snapping division, show a picket fence arrangement. These organisms are widely distributed in nature. The best known species are parasites and pathogens of humans and domestic animals. The type species is C. diphtheriae.

[G. korynē, a club, + bacterium, a small rod]

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cor·y·ne·bac·te·ri·um

, pl. corynebacteria (kŏ-rī'nē-bak-tēr'ē-ŭm, -ă)

A vernacular term used to refer to any member of the genus Corynebacterium.

Corynebacterium

Any species of the genus Corynebacterium . These are GRAM POSITIVE rod-shaped bacteria and include the organism that causes diphtheria, Corynebacterium diphtheriae .

Cor·y·ne·bac·te·ri·um

(kŏ-rī'nē-bak-tēr'ē-ŭm)

Genus of widely distributed aerobic to anaerobic bacteria containing irregularly staining, gram-positive, straight to slightly curved, often club-shaped rods; pathogenic in humans.

[G. coryne, a club, + bacterium, a small rod]

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.