CORYNEBACTERIUM

Question 1

What kind of pathogen is Corynebacterium?

Answer 1

Bacteria

Question 2

Is Corynebacterium gram positive or negative?

Answer 2

Gram positive

Question 3

Is Corynebacterium anaerobic?

Answer 3

Yes (facultative anaerobe, can survive in both presence and absence of O2)

Question 4

What would Corynebacterium look like on a microscope slide?

Answer 4

Purple CLUB SHAPED rods

Question 5

What is one strain of Corynebacterium?

Answer 5

Corynebacterium diptheriae (causes diptheria)

Question 6

What is the reservoir for Corynebacterium?

Answer 6

HUMANS ONLY

Question 7

What is the pathogenesis of Corynebacterium?

Answer 7

-Toxin mediated disease

Question 8

How does a Corynebacterium infection present?

Answer 8

**Diptheria!
-Severe pharyngitis
-Neck swelling (bull neck)
-Pseudomembrane in throat (posterior pharynx covered has thickened membrane formed by debris)
-May cause death: airway obstruction, heart blockage, myocarditis (inflammation)

Other manifestations can include:
-Cranial Nerve palsy/Pharyngeal muscles paralyisis
-Chronic wound with grey membrane (non-toxigenic strain)

Question 9

How can you treat a Corynebacterium infection?

Answer 9

-Diptheria vaccine! Prevention
-Anti-toxin
-Penicillin, Erythromycin