Corynebacterium

(kor″ĭ-nē-bak-tir′ē-ŭm)

[L. corynebacterium fr Gr. korynē, a club, + bacterium]
A genus of gram-positive, aerobic, nonmotile bacilli of the family Corynebacteriaceae. Some are part of normal skin flora; others are pathogens for domestic animals, birds, and reptiles.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae

The causative agent of diphtheria in humans.
SEE: diphtheria

Corynebacterium minutissimum

The causative species of erythrasma.

Corynebacterium parvum

An organism used as part of a nonspecific immunotherapy regimen (investigational) in the treatment of lung cancer.

Corynebacterium vaginale

A former name for SEE: Gardnerella vaginalis.