Corynebacterium xerosis is a common skin bacteria that can cause endocarditis, skin infections, and other illnesses. It is a Gram-positive, fermentative, non-lipophilic rod-shaped bacterium that metabolizes glucose and sucrose. It is not usually a serious concern but can be dangerous for people with compromised immune systems. Infections caused by C. xerosis can be treated with penicillin or erythromycin.
Corynebacterium xerosis is a type of bacteria commonly found on the skin. It rarely causes infections, but in some cases it can cause endocarditis, skin infections, and other illnesses. This bacterium is Gram-positive and fermentative.
Like other bacteria in the genus Corynebacterium, C. xerosis is recognized by its rod shape. This particular species is shaped like a slightly curved rod, and does not usually form clubs, which are terminal swellings. It is a fermentative bacterium and metabolizes both glucose and sucrose. The bacterium is also non-lipophilic, meaning it does not reproduce rapidly in fats as other bacteria do.
There are a number of different bacteria in the Corynebacterium genus, the best known of which may be C. diptheriae, which causes diphtheria. This is an aggressive bacterial infection that can impair organ function if left untreated. Many of the other species in the genus are less dangerous; although it can cause a number of illnesses, C. xerosis is not a serious concern for most people.
This bacterium is sometimes referred to as a “diptoroid” species because it is in the same genus as the bacteria that cause diphtheria. The terminology can be confusing for some people, who confuse the generic term with the disease. C. xerosis is a different bacterium and does not cause the same diseases.
However, people who have compromised immune systems are susceptible to diseases caused by Corynebacterium xerosis. There have been some reports of endocarditis, an infection of the lining of the heart, caused by it. It has also been linked to skin infections and bacterial blood infections, also called bacteremia. The bacteria can also infect the throat and lungs, causing pneumonia in some patients.
Infections caused by C. xerosis are sometimes missed because this bacteria is so common on the skin. In some cases it was assumed that a sample was contaminated, rather than that bacteria were the cause of the disease. Unfortunately, this can prevent an infection from being treated as quickly or as effectively as it could have been. In most cases, an infection can be treated with penicillin or erythromycin.
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