Many organisms are considered "coryneform" but are not included in the Corynebacterium genus. These include:
Arcanobacterium, Arthrobacter, Brevibacterium, Cellulomonas, Cellulosimicrobium, Dermabacter, Leifsonia, Microbacterium, Oerskovia, and Rothia (excluding Rothia mucilaginosa), Trueperella, and Turicella.
Like Corynebacterium, all of these isolates have been implicated or suggested as the cause of infections. These infections have primarily been in immunosuppressed patients or those who have had extended hospitalizations and indwelling devices.
Arcanobacterium haemolyticum can cause pharyngitis and soft tissue infections similar to Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep). This organism was initially in the Corynebacterium genus but further studies moved it to the Arcanobacterium genus. Arthrobacter is often found naturally in raw milk, ready-to-use vegetables, eggs, and other food sources. Brevibacterium and Microbacterium can be found in various cheeses. Microbacterium can also be found in soil along with Cellulomonas and Cellulosimicrobium. Cellulosimicrobium is also used to treat soybean meal to make it easier to digest. Leifsonia is usually associated with water and can cause infections in hemodialysis patients.
The remaining coryneforms are commonly found as part of the human microbiota and are often associated with indwelling devices. The exception is Turicella which has been recovered from middle ear fluid in infectious and non-infectious presentations.
45. Clark, W. A. "This photomicrograph of a Gram-stained specimen, revealed the presence of numerous gram-positive, Oerskovia turbata bacteria, which can be seen arranged in small chains..." CDC Public Health Image Library (PHIL). Public domain. 1977. Accessed July 28, 2023. https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=1569946. Clark, W. A. "This photomicrograph of a Gram-stained specimen, revealed the presence of numerous gram-positive, Oerskovia turbata bacteria, which can be seen arranged in small clumps..." CDC Public Health Image Library (PHIL). Public domain. 1977. Accessed July 28, 2023. https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=15700
