The Role of Corynebacterium in Polymicrobial Infections

In polymicrobial infections, one organism can help to provide a suitable environment for another organism to grow and become pathogenic. This in turn can cause normally non-pathogenic organisms to cause disease. Studies have shown that multiple Corynebacterium species are capable of producing biofilms. This may be a factor in causing hospital-acquired infections with Corynebacterium species.

Biofilms are generally a mixed community of organisms held together with an extracellular matrix produced by one or more of the organisms. This biofilm can help to adhere to medical devices such as catheters and implanted devices made up of various materials. In addition, biofilms are also capable of adhering to human surfaces such as teeth and skin. Advantages to the community in the biofilm include antibiotic resistance as well as protection from host defenses.

There has also been evidence to suggest that in some cases, Corynebacterium striatum can inhibit the virulence of Staphylococcus aureus, causing it to behave more as a commensal organism and less as a pathogenic organism but the potential for both organisms to produce a biofilm, may, in turn, create a hospitable environment for other pathogens to proliferate.