General Characteristics of Corynebacterium species and Coryneform-Like Organisms

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General Characteristics of Corynebacterium species and Coryneform-Like Organisms

Table 7. General Characteristics of Corynebacterium species and Coryneform-Like Organisms.
OrganismGram stainCatalaseColony morphologyInfection sitesNormal habitat
CorynebacteriumStraight or irregular shaped Gram-positive (GP) rods in single, pairs, V-shapes, or “Chinese letters”PositiveVarious smooth to rough, dry to sticky most are cream, white, or pale yellowHave been implicated in multiple sterile sites and chronic wounds or ulcersHuman microbiota, some have animal or soil reservoirs
ArchanobacteriumSlender, irregular, GP rods become granular with ageNegativeA. haemolyticum is β-hemolytic, small, white, growth enhanced in CO2Smooth colonies found in wounds and rough colonies found in respiratory infectionsHuman microbiota
ArthrobacterGP rod to cocci with agePositiveWhitish, gray some species may be yellow to dark rose-redUrine, wounds, and bloodSoil, raw milk, eggs, and ready to use vegetables
BrevibacteriumIrregular GP rodsPositiveSmall, opaque, can produce colors from cream to dark redCatheter-associated bloodstream infections, endocarditis, surgical site infectionsFound most often in cheese
CellulomonasSmall, thin GP rod (may appear Gram-negative)PositiveSmall yellowSepsis, cholecystitisCan break down cellulose found primarily in soil
CellulosimicrobiumGP coryneform occasional branchingPositiveGlistening yellow, penetrates into agarDevice associated infections, endocarditisFound in soil also used to treat soybean meal to make it easier to digest
DermabacterGP short rods to coccoidPositiveWhite, creamy, or dry may resemble coagulase-negative StaphylococcusAssociated with hospital-acquired infections, blood, abscesses, woundsHuman microbiota found primarily on skin and GI tract
LeifsoniaGP short rodsPositiveYellow pigmented, oxidase-positive and can be motileHemodialysis patients with bacteremiaAssociated with water
MicrobacteriumSlender, irregular GP rodsPositiveOpaque, glistening often yellow to orangeCatheter-associated bloodstream infections, eye infections due to traumaFound in soil and cheese
OerskoviaGP branching filaments that fragment into motile rodsPositiveGlistening, small, yellowInfections due to indwelling devices primarily in immunosuppressed, endocarditis, or infections following traumatic injurySoil, water, decaying plants
Rothia (not mucilaginosa)GP coccoid, can be filamentousPositiveCreamy white, rough or smooth coloniesEndocarditis, periodontal disease, pneumonia in immunocompromisedOften found in oral cavity
TrueperellaGP coccobacillary to short rodsNegativeSmooth, glassy coloniesBlood and abscess infectionsMay be found in human respiratory tract, some are zoonotic
TuricellaIrregular, long diphtheroid GP rodsPositiveWhite to cream colonies (strong CAMP positive)Middle ear infections and bacteremiaFound also in healthy middle ear fluid