Corynebacterium species

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Corynebacterium - The Club-Shaped Invaders

  • Gram-positive, non-motile, club-shaped (coryneform) rods arranged in V/Y shapes or palisades.
  • Contain metachromatic (Babes-Ernst) granules.
  • Pathogenesis (C. diphtheriae): Diphtheria toxin, an A-B exotoxin, inhibits protein synthesis by ADP-ribosylating Elongation Factor 2 (EF-2).
    • Clinical Triad: Pharyngitis with thick, gray pseudomembrane, "bull neck" (cervical lymphadenopathy), and low-grade fever.
    • Systemic: Myocarditis, arrhythmias, and neuropathies.
  • Diagnosis: Culture on Tellurite agar (black colonies) or Loeffler medium. Toxin detection via Elek test or PCR.
  • Treatment: Antitoxin (most critical) + Erythromycin or Penicillin.
  • Prevention: DTaP/Tdap toxoid vaccine.

⭐ The gene encoding the diphtheria toxin (tox) is introduced into C. diphtheriae by a lysogenic bacteriophage (β-prophage).

Pharyngeal pseudomembrane in diphtheria

Diphtheria Toxin - The Protein Assassin

An A-B polypeptide exotoxin that irreversibly inhibits protein synthesis.

  • Source: The tox gene is acquired via lysogenic conversion from a temperate β-prophage.
  • Mechanism of Action:
    • B (Binding) subunit attaches to the Heparin-Binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) receptor, which is abundant on cardiac and nerve cells.
    • A (Active) subunit enters the cell cytoplasm.
    • It catalyzes the ADP-ribosylation of Elongation Factor 2 (EF-2).
    • This inactivation of EF-2 halts polypeptide chain elongation, leading to cell death.

Diphtheria toxin mechanism of action

⭐ The systemic effects (e.g., myocarditis, arrhythmias, neuropathies) are the direct result of toxin dissemination and its action on cells expressing the HB-EGF receptor. This is distinct from the local tissue necrosis that forms the pharyngeal pseudomembrane.

Diphtheria Clinical - From Grey Neck to Failing Heart

  • Respiratory Diphtheria (Local Toxin)
    • Presents 2-5 days post-exposure with sore throat, malaise, and low-grade fever.
    • Hallmark: A dense, grey, adherent pseudomembrane forms over the tonsils and pharynx; bleeds if dislodged.
    • Severe cases develop a "bull neck" from massive cervical adenopathy and edema, which can compromise the airway.

Diphtheria: Bull Neck and Pharyngeal Pseudomembrane

  • Systemic Toxin Complications
    • Myocarditis (1-2 wks): The most common cause of mortality. Can cause arrhythmias, heart block, and acute heart failure.
    • Neuropathy (wks-mos): A progressive, symmetric polyneuropathy. Often starts with paralysis of the soft palate and diaphragm.

⭐ The diphtheria exotoxin irreversibly inactivates Elongation Factor-2 (EF-2) via ADP-ribosylation, which halts protein synthesis and causes cell death, especially in the heart and nerves.

Lab & Treatment - Tinsdale, Toxoids & Triage

  • Lab Diagnosis

    • Culture on Tinsdale agar → black colonies with brown halos.
    • Loeffler's medium → metachromatic (blue/red) granules.
    • Elek test → detects toxin production (in vitro precipitation line).
  • Treatment & Prevention

    • Triage Priority: Administer diphtheria antitoxin immediately on suspicion.
    • Antibiotics: Penicillin G or erythromycin.
    • Prevention: DTaP vaccine (diphtheria toxoid).

Crucial step: Antitoxin administration should NOT be delayed for lab confirmation. It neutralizes circulating toxin only.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae on Tinsdale agar

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Gram-positive, club-shaped rods arranged in V or Y shapes ("Chinese letters").
  • C. diphtheriae causes diphtheria via an exotoxin that inhibits protein synthesis by ADP-ribosylating EF-2.
  • Presents with a grayish-white pseudomembrane in the pharynx and a "bull neck" due to lymphadenopathy.
  • Systemic complications include myocarditis and neuropathy.
  • Grows on tellurite agar (black colonies) and Loeffler's medium.
  • The toxoid vaccine (in DTaP) is key for prevention.

Practice Questions: Corynebacterium species

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 47-year-old woman presents to a local medical shelter while on a mission trip with her church to help rebuild homes after a hurricane. She has been experiencing severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea for the last 2 days and was feeling too fatigued to walk this morning. On presentation, her temperature is 99.2°F (37.3°C), blood pressure is 95/62 mmHg, pulse is 121/min, and respirations are 17/min. Physical exam reveals decreased skin turgor, and a stool sample reveals off-white watery stools. Gram stain reveals a gram-negative, comma-shaped organism that produces a toxin. Which of the following is consistent with the action of the toxin most likely involved in the development of this patient's symptoms?

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Flashcards: Corynebacterium species

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Which gram-positive bacteria contains granules that stain with aniline dyes (ie: methylene blue)?_____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Which gram-positive bacteria contains granules that stain with aniline dyes (ie: methylene blue)?_____

Corynebacterium diphtheriae

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