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.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

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.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

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.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

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.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

Corynebacterium

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

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

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]

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012