Corynebacteriaceae

Corynebacteriaceae is a family of bacteria in the order Actinomycetales. It includes notable genera such as Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium, and Nocardia. Members of Corynebacteriaceae are Gram-positive, and are either aerobic or facultative anaerobic.

Taxonomy

The family Corynebacteriaceae is part of the phylum Actinobacteria, class Actinobacteria, and order Actinomycetales. It includes several genera, the most well-known of which are Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium, and Nocardia.

Characteristics

Members of the Corynebacteriaceae family are Gram-positive, with a high guanine and cytosine content in their DNA. They are either aerobic or facultative anaerobic, and are generally non-motile.

Pathogenicity

Several species within the Corynebacteriaceae family are pathogenic to humans. For example, Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the causative agent of diphtheria, while various Mycobacterium species cause diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy.

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment of infections caused by Corynebacteriaceae bacteria typically involves antibiotics, with the specific drug chosen depending on the species and strain of bacteria. Prevention strategies include vaccination, particularly for diseases such as diphtheria and tuberculosis.

See Also

• Corynebacterium
• Mycobacterium
• Nocardia
• Actinomycetales
• Gram-positive bacteria
• Aerobic bacteria
• Facultative anaerobic bacteria