Corynebacterium

Corynebacterium is a genus of Gram-positive bacteria, typically irregular or club-shaped rods, found in animals, humans, and the environment. Some species are harmless residents, while others cause disease.

Gram-positive bacteria: Bacteria whose cell walls retain crystal violet stain because of a thick peptidoglycan layer. Corynebacterium belongs to this broad group and shares its characteristic cell-wall architecture.
Corynebacterium diphtheriae: A bacterial species that can cause diphtheria through production of diphtheria toxin. It is the best-known pathogenic member of the genus.
Diphtheria toxin gene: The gene encoding diphtheria toxin, carried by certain bacteriophages that infect Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Toxin production depends on phage-borne tox genes rather than the bacterial species alone.
Mycobacterium: A genus of acid-fast bacteria with lipid-rich cell envelopes, including species that cause tuberculosis and leprosy. Its relatives share envelope features with Corynebacterium but are distinguished by acid-fast staining.
Actinobacteria: A large bacterial phylum that includes many high-GC Gram-positive bacteria. Corynebacterium is classified within this phylum alongside genera such as Mycobacterium.
Diphtheria: A potentially severe infectious disease commonly caused by toxin-producing Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This disease illustrates how a corynebacterial toxin can damage human tissues.
Bacteriophage: A virus that infects bacteria and may transfer genetic material between them. Phage infection can introduce the toxin gene that makes some corynebacteria pathogenic.
Listeria: A genus of Gram-positive bacteria that includes Listeria monocytogenes, a foodborne pathogen. Listeria can resemble corynebacteria in morphology but differs in traits such as motility.
Peptidoglycan: A mesh-like polymer of sugars and peptides that provides structural strength to most bacterial cell walls. Its thick cell-wall layer contributes to Corynebacterium's Gram-positive staining.
Corynebacterium glutamicum: An industrial bacterium used to produce amino acids and other commercially valuable compounds. Its biotechnology applications contrast with the disease associations of some congeners.

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Mycolic acidRelated: Its mycolic acids show how chain length varies among related bacteria.