Articles on Medical Diseases and Conditions

The word pneumonia means inflammation of the lung. Although this could result from noninfectious sources (e.g., a chemical inflammation secondary to aspiration), the great majority of cases are due to bacterial or nonbacterial infectious agents. Almost any bacterium, many species of fungi, and many viruses could be associated with pneumonia under some circumstances. Except for […]

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 […]