Corynebacteria These organisms are gram-positive aerobic rods of varying length, frequently arranged on smear in sheafs (palisades) or Chinese letter-type configurations. The most important member of this genus is Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which causes diphtheria. Infection usually becomes established in the pharynx. Corynebacterium diphtheriae produces a toxin that affects the heart and peripheral nerves. There is […]