Corynebacterium amycolatum

Corynebacterium amycolatum is a Gram-positive, nonspore-forming, aerobic or facultatively anaerobic bacillus capable of fermentation with propionic acid as the major end product of its glucose metabolism. One of its best known relatives is Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the causative agent of diphtheria. C. amycolatum is a common component of the natural flora found on human skin and mucous membranes, and as such, is often disregarded by physicians as a contaminant when found in blood cultures. However, C. amycolatum is actually an opportunistic pathogen capable of causing serious human disease such as endocarditis and sepsis.