Corynebacterium and their Importance in Infections

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Author: Jennifer Eddins PhD, SM(ASCP); Reviewer: Erin Phipps M(ASCP); Julie Ann West, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, SM(ASCP)CM

Medical Laboratory Scientists 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 of the common Corynebacterium species that have been shown to cause human diseases, along with primary sources and modes of infections. This course also highlights biochemical reactions, other testing methods for identification, susceptibility, treatment options, and 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 infections.
  • Explain traditional biochemical testing, current testing using mass spectrometry (Maldi-TOF), 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?
      • Corynebacterium diphtheriae can cause infections outside of the respiratory system.
  • Species (other than 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 discussed to this point in this section?
      • Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
      • Corynebacterium riegelii
      • Corynebacterium striatum
      • Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum
      • Corynebacterium ulcerans
      • Corynebacterium urealyticum
      • Corynebacterium xerosis
      • Black colony Corynebacterium species
      • Which statement is true concerning the Corynebacterium just discussed in the latter half of this topic section?
  • Primary sources and modes of infection
      • Infection Sites Related to Species
      • Modes of Transmission
      • 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 choice is not true when discussing the significance of Corynebacterium isolated from clinical specimens?
  • Traditional biochemical reactions, current testing using Maldi-TOF identifications, and other methods.
      • Biochemical Characteristics
      • Biochemical and Other Testing Methods
      • Biochemical Reactions To Distinguish Corynebacterium that may be Found in Upper Respiratory Tract in Humans
      • Useful Biochemical Properties of Corynebacterium to Distinguish Between Some 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 the 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 statement concerning treatment is true?
  • Corynebacterium look-alikes
      • Coryneform-Like Organisms
      • General Characteristics of Corynebacterium species and Coryneform-Like Organisms
      • Which choice is not true when discussing the characteristics of coryneforms compared to Corynebacterium?
      • Non-Coryneform Gram-Positive Rods and Possible Look-Alikes
      • When discussing the non-coryneforms, which of the answer choice is true?
      • Changing Ecology and Pathogenicity
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This course is intended for all medical laboratory personnel, especially those working in the microbiology laboratory. Knowledge of basic microbiological identification methods is helpful. This course is also appropriate for clinical laboratory science 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.
Reviewer Information: Erin Phipps, M(ASCP), has 20 years of experience as a medical laboratory scientist. She is currently a Lead Medical Lab Scientist in the Molecular Diagnostics Department at the University of Colorado Hospital.
Reviewer Information: 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: Medical Laboratory Scientists 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 of the common Corynebacterium species that have been shown to cause human diseases, along with primary sources and modes of infections. This course also highlights biochemical reactions, other testing methods for identification, susceptibility, treatment options, and a brief overview of potentially pathogenic organisms that could be mistaken for Corynebacterium species.

This course is part of:
Compliance & CE
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C. pseudotuberculosis Gram stain image (1)
Corynebacterium amycolatum Gram stain image (12)
Corynebacterium accolens Blood agar plate image (11)
Corynebacterium minutissimum under Wood's lamp image (16)
Corynebacterium propinquum Gram stain image (17)