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Corynebacterium
(ko-ri″ne-bak-tēr´e-әm)
a genus of gram-positive, nonmotile, straight to slightly curved rod-shaped bacteria. It includes both pathogenic and nonpathogenic
organisms, which are widely distributed in nature. Species include C. ac´nes, found in acne lesions; C. diphthe´riae, the etiologic agent of diphtheria; C. haemoly´ticum, found in pharyngitis and skin ulcers; C. minutis´simum, the causative agent of erythrasma; C. pseudodiphtheri´ticum, a nonpathogenic inhabitant of the upper respiratory tract; C. te´nuis, the causative agent of trichomycosis axillaris; C. ul´cerans, which causes nasopharyngeal infections; and C. xero´sis, an opportunistic pathogen found on the skin and mucous membranes and in the conjunctival sac.

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