Gram-positive rods (aerobic)

Bacillus anthracis
• Habitat: soil, plants
• Disease: anthrax (black eschar in cutaneous form)
• Gram stain: large rod with spores
• Other:
– USE BIOHAZARD PRECAUTIONS
– “String of pearls” with penicillin exposure

Bacillus species
• Habitat: environment
• Disease: opportunistic infections
– Food poisoning: B. cereus toxins
• Gram stain: large rods with spores
• Other:
– Usually contaminants

Corynebacterium diphtheriae
• Habitat: human skin; respiratory tract
• Disease: diphtheria (respiratory and cutaneous); pseudomembrane may form
• Gram stain: small, pleomorphic rods; “Chinese letters”
• Other:
– Media: BAP, cystine-tellurite, Tinsdale, and Loeffler media

Corynebacterium species
• Habitat: human skin, mucous membranes, environment
• Disease:
– Opportunistic infections
• Gram stain: small, pleomorphic rods; “Chinese letters”
• Other:
– Usually contaminants
– C. jeikeium: serious infections in immunocompromised

Listeria monocytogenes
• Habitat: environment, vagina, intestinal tract
• Disease: variety of infections (immunocompromised and pregnant individuals)
• Gram stain: small rods
• Other:
– Tumbling motility
– Umbrella in motility media
– Can grow at refrig temps
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
• Habitat: environment; animals
• Disease: erysieloid (red skin lesion)
• Gram stain: pleomorphic rods
• Other: zoonotic

Nocardia
• Habitat: environment
• Disease: Nocardiosis; Actinomycetoma
• Gram stain: branching filaments; may be beaded
• Other:
– May be partially acid-fast
– Colonies: often “musty basement” smell

Arcanobacterium
• Disease: pharyngitis, wound infections, bacteremia
• Other:
– Beta hemolytic
– Catalase negative
– Inhibits hemolysis by S aureus beta-toxin (a “reverse CAMP” test)