Corynebacterium Pathogenesis and Antimicrobial Resistance
Summary
Members of the genus Corynebacterium encompass a diverse array of Gram-positive, club-shaped bacteria that occupy environmental and mucosal niches. While classical pathogens such as Corynebacterium diphtheriae remain of concern for toxin-mediated disease, non-diphtherial species including C. striatum, C. jeikeium and C. amycolatum have emerged as opportunistic agents of hospital-acquired infections. Key virulence attributes include adhesion to host tissues, biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces and evasion of innate immune defences. Concurrently, the acquisition and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes via plasmids, transposons, integrons and other mobile elements have rendered many isolates refractory to conventional therapies. Inducible resistance mechanisms, often mediated by penicillin-binding proteins or β-lactamases, and multifactorial efflux systems compromise the efficacy of β-lactams, macrolides, fluoroquinolones and other core antibiotics. A growing understanding of the pan-genome architecture of clinical strains highlights a stable core set of housekeeping and virulence determinants, alongside a plastic accessory genome rich in resistance cassettes. This dual threat of pathogenicity and multidrug resistance underscores the global need for enhanced diagnostic vigilance, targeted antimicrobial stewardship and novel therapeutic strategies.
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Corynebacterium Pathogenesis and Antimicrobial Resistance publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in corynebacterium pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Mobilome: The total set of mobile genetic elements in a genome, including plasmids, transposons and integrative elements.
Resistome: The collection of all antimicrobial resistance genes in a microorganism.
Pan-genome: The full complement of genes within a species, comprising core and accessory genes.
Integron: A genetic element that can capture and express gene cassettes, often carrying resistance genes.
Penicillin-binding protein (PBP): A bacterial enzyme involved in cell wall synthesis and a target for β-lactam antibiotics.
β-lactam: A class of antibiotics characterised by a β-lactam ring that inhibits cell wall synthesis.
References
- Contribution of the Mobilome to the Configuration of the Resistome of Corynebacterium striatum. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
- Exploration of the role of the penicillin binding protein 2c (Pbp2c) in inducible β-lactam resistance in Corynebacteriaceae. Frontiers in Microbiology (2024).
- Pangenome analysis of Corynebacterium striatum: insights into a neglected multidrug-resistant pathogen. BMC Microbiology (2023).
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