Corynebacterium and Their Importance in Infections

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Author: Jennifer Eddins, PhD, SM(ASCP)
Reviewers: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM and Julie Ann West, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CMSMCM

Laboratory professionals responsible for reporting microbiology culture results should be aware that Corynebacterium species and similar organisms recovered from clinical specimens have the potential to be pathogenic. This course provides an overview of some common Corynebacterium species that have been shown to cause human diseases, along with their primary sources and modes of infection. It highlights biochemical reactions, other testing methods for identification, susceptibility, and treatment options, as well as a brief overview of potentially pathogenic organisms that could be mistaken for Corynebacterium species.

Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Discuss the history and general characteristics of Corynebacterium species.
  • Discuss species shown to cause infections.
  • List primary sources and modes of infection.
  • Explain traditional biochemical testing, current testing using mass spectrometry, and other methods.
  • Discuss susceptibility testing options and treatment recommendations.
  • Describe organisms that can be mistaken for Corynebacterium species.

Course Outline

  • History and General Characteristics of Corynebacterium species
      • General Characteristics
      • History
      • Diphtheria
      • Emerging Pathogenicity
      • Which statement is true when discussing Corynebacterium species characteristics and Corynebacterium diphtheriae?
      • True or False: Corynebacterium diphtheriae can cause infections outside of the respiratory system.
  • Corynebacterium Species Beyond C. diphtheriae Shown to Cause Infections
      • Corynebacterium accolens
      • Corynebacterium amycolatum
      • Corynebacterium jeikeium
      • Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii
      • Corynebacterium macginleyi
      • Corynebacterium minutissimum
      • Corynebacterium propinquum
      • Which statement is true concerning the Corynebacterium species?
      • Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
      • Corynebacterium riegelii
      • Corynebacterium striatum
      • Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum
      • Corynebacterium ulcerans
      • Corynebacterium urealyticum
      • Corynebacterium xerosis
      • Black Colony Corynebacterium Species
      • Which statement is true concerning Corynebacterium species?
  • Primary Sources and Modes of Infection
      • Table 1: Infection Sites Related to Species
      • Table 2: Modes of Transmission
      • Table 3: Types of Infections
      • Concerning infection sites, transmission, and types of infections, which answer choice is correct?
      • Distinguishing Between Infections, Contamination, and Colonization
      • Blood, Respiratory, and Urine Considerations
      • The Role of Corynebacterium in Polymicrobial Infections
      • Which response is not true when discussing the significance of Corynebacterium isolated from clinical specimens?
  • Traditional Biochemical Reactions, Current Testing Using MALDI-TOF, and Other Methods
      • Biochemical Characteristics
      • Biochemical and Other Testing Methods
      • Table 5: Biochemical Reactions to Distinguish Corynebacterium Found in Upper Respiratory Tract
      • Table 6: Useful Biochemical Properties of Corynebacterium to Distinguish Between Additional Isolates
      • When discussing identification methods and biochemical characteristics of Corynebacterium species, which one of the following statements is correct?
      • Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF)
      • Alternative Methods for Identification: DNA Sequencing
      • Alternative Methods for Identification: PCR
      • Which answer choice is true when discussing MALDI-TOF and other alternative methods of identification?
  • Susceptibility Testing
      • Susceptibility Methods
      • Susceptibility Methods, continued
      • Susceptibility Testing for Corynebacterium
      • Susceptibility for Other Coryneform Bacteria
      • Which answer choice is true when discussing susceptibilities for Corynebacteriun and other coryneform bacteria?
      • Known Resistance Patterns
      • Resistance Mechanisms
      • Which answer choice is true when discussing resistance patterns and mechanisms for Corynebacterium and coryneforms?
  • Treatment Options
      • Antimicrobial Resistance
      • True or False: Organisms can acquire resistance to antibiotics through the sharing of copies of genes from other organisms. This can only occur within...
      • Recommended Antibiotics Mode of Action
      • Additional Treatment Options
      • Immunotherapy and Other Treatment Options
      • When discussing antibiotic modes of action and alternative treatments, which one of the following statements is true?
      • Treatment Based Upon Species
      • Based on the different species of Corynebacterium, which of the following statements concerning treatment is true?
  • Corynebacterium Look-Alikes
      • Coryneform-Like Organisms
      • Table 7: General Characteristics of Corynebacterium species and Coryneform-Like Organisms
      • Which choice is not true when discussing the characteristics of coryneforms compared to Corynebacterium?
      • Table 8: Non-Coryneform Gram-Positive Rods and Possible Look-Alikes
      • When discussing the non-coryneforms, which of the answer choices is true?
      • Changing Ecology and Pathogenicity
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This course is designed for all medical laboratory personnel, particularly those working in microbiology laboratories. Medical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, laboratory supervisors, and laboratory managers. This course is also appropriate for MLS and MLT students and pathology residents.
Author Information: Jennifer Eddins, PhD, SM(ASCP), has over 30 years of experience in medical microbiology as a technologist, lead, and technical specialist. She also teaches introductory microbiology courses online to pre-nursing students and creates continuing education modules for MediaLab. Jennifer has a BS in Microbiology from Colorado State University and a PhD in Public Health with a focus on epidemiology from Walden University.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information:
Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is a Lead Education Developer. She earned a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Saint Xavier University. She has over 15 years of experience in higher education and has held program director and faculty positions in both MLT and MLS programs.
Dr. Julie Ann West is certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) and as a Specialist in Microbiology (SM). In addition, Dr. West has earned a PhD in Public Health - Infectious Disease Epidemiology - and is Certified in Public Health (CPH) by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Dr. West is experienced as a Technical Specialist, Safety Officer, Educator, and Lead in the Veterans Administration Healthcare System, and has prior experience as an Administrative Laboratory Director.
Course Description: Laboratory professionals responsible for reporting microbiology culture results should be aware that Corynebacterium species and similar organisms recovered from clinical specimens have the potential to be pathogenic. This course provides an overview of some common Corynebacterium species that have been shown to cause human diseases, along with their primary sources and modes of infection. It highlights biochemical reactions, other testing methods for identification, susceptibility, and treatment options, as well as a brief overview of potentially pathogenic organisms that could be mistaken for Corynebacterium species.

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Figure 5. Colony morphology of Corynebacterium accolens
Figure 9. Corynebacterium minutissimum under Wood's lamp
Figure 10. Gram stain of Corynebacterium propinquum
Figure 29. Corynebacterium species on Gram stain