Few Coryneform Genera

Other Coryneform Genera

Besides genus Corynebacterium, other genera of irregularly shaped, Gram-positive bacteria have been identified to colonize and cause disease in humans. The other coryneform genera include Arcanobacterium, Oerskovia, Brevibacterium, and Turicella.

Arcanobacterium is associated with polymicrobial woundinfection, pharyngitis, and less commonly septicemia and endo-carditis. Use of penicillin or erythromycin has proved effective.

Oerskovia is found in the soil and in decaying organicmatter. The bacteria can cause septicemia, endocarditis, meningitis, and soft tissue infections. It shows a high degree of resistance to commonly used antibiotics.

Brevibacterium has been found to colonize the skin ofhumans. The organism has been associated with malodor-ous feet in some colonized people, septicemia, osteomyelitis, and foreign body infection. These bacteria show resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, such as erythromycin, cipro-floxacin, and clindamycin. Tetracycline, gentamicin, and vancomycin have shown to be effective.

Turicella colonize the ears of the persons infected withTuricella and also of healthy persons. These organisms areresistant to clindamycin and erythromycin but are sensitive to ciprofloxacin and clindamycin.