Editing Corynebacterium (section)

==Role in disease==
{{Main|Diphtheria}}
The most notable human infection is [[diphtheria]], caused by ''C. diphtheriae''. It is an acute, contagious infection characterized by pseudomembranes of dead [[epithelial]] [[Cell (biology)|cell]]s, [[white blood cell]]s, [[red blood cell]]s, and [[fibrin]] that form around the [[tonsil]]s and [[pharynx|back of the throat]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/article/001608.htm| title=Difteria: MedlinePlus enciclopedia médica|website=www.nlm.nih.gov}}</ref> In developed countries, it is an uncommon illness that tends to occur in un[[vaccine|vaccinated]] individuals, especially school-aged children, [[elderly]], [[neutropenia|neutropenic]] or [[immunocompromise]]d patients, and those with prosthetic devices such as [[prosthetic heart valve]]s, [[shunt (medical)|shunts]], or [[catheter]]s. It is more common in developing countries<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1590/S0034-89101980000400005 |pmid=7268290 |title= Difteria: Situação imunitária de uma população infantil urbana de São Paulo, SP, Brasil |trans-title=Diphtheria. Immunity in an infant population in the City of S. Paulo, SP, Brazil |language=pt |journal=Revista de Saúde Pública |volume=14 |issue=4 |pages=462–8 |year= 1980 |last1=Iizuka |first1=Hideyo |last2=Furuta |first2=Joana Akiko |last3=Oliveira |first3=Edison P. Tavares de |doi-access=free }}</ref> It can occasionally infect wounds, the [[vulva]], the [[conjunctiva]], and the [[middle ear]]. It can be spread [[nosocomial infection|within a hospital]].<ref name=jk>{{cite journal |doi=10.1017/S0022172400065347 |pmid=3023480 |pmc=2083551 |title=Plasmids in group JK coryneform bacteria isolated in a single hospital |journal=Journal of Hygiene |volume=97 |issue=2 |pages=255–63 |year=2009 |last1=Kerry-Williams |first1= S. M. |last2=Noble |first2=W. C. }}</ref> The virulent and toxigenic strains produce an [[exotoxin]] formed by two [[polypeptide]] chains, which is itself produced when a bacterium is [[Transformation (genetics)|transformed]] by a [[gene]] from the [[Corynebacteriophage|β]] [[prophage]].<ref name=costa /><ref name=ViralZone>SIB: [https://viralzone.expasy.org/3967 Viral exotoxin]. Expasy: ViralZone. Accessed 2 Feb 2021</ref>

Several species cause disease in animals, most notably ''C. pseudotuberculosis'', which causes the disease [[caseous lymphadenitis]], and some are also pathogenic in humans. Some attack healthy [[Host (biology)|host]]s, while others tend to attack the [[immunocompromise]]d. Effects of infection include [[granuloma]]tous [[lymphadenopathy]], [[pneumonitis]], [[pharyngitis]], skin infections, and [[endocarditis]]. Corynebacterial endocarditis is seen most frequently in patients with intravascular devices.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/S0213-005X(04)73041-4 |title= Guías para el tratamiento de las infecciones relacionadas con catéteres intravasculares de corta permanencia en adultos: Conferencia de consenso SEIMC-SEMICYUC |trans-title=Guidelines for the treatment of infections related to short-stay intravascular catheters in adults: consensus conference SEIMC-SEMICYUC |language=es |journal=Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica |volume=22 |issue=2 |pages=92–7 |year=2004 |last1=León |first1=Cristóbal |last2=Ariza |first2=Javier |pmid= 14756991 }}</ref> Several species of ''Corynebacterium'' can cause [[trichomycosis axillaris]].<ref>{{EMedicine|derm|601|Trichomycosis axillaris}}</ref> ''C. striatum'' may cause axillary odor.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1111/j.1467-2494.2004.00255.x |pmid=18492161 |title=Isolation of a bacterial enzyme releasing axillary malodor and its use as a screening target for novel deodorant formulations1 |journal=International Journal of Cosmetic Science |volume=27 |issue=2 |pages=115–22 | year=2005 |last1=Natsch |first1=A. |last2=Gfeller |first2=H. |last3=Gygax |first3=P. |last4=Schmid |first4=J. |s2cid=22554216 }}</ref> ''[[Corynebacterium minutissimum|C. minutissimum]]'' causes [[erythrasma]].