Complete Genome Sequence of Corynebacterium minutissimum, an Opportunistic Pathogen and the Causative Agent of Erythrasma

Abstract

Corynebacterium minutissimum was first isolated in 1961 from infection sites of patients presenting with erythrasma, a common cutaneous infection characterized by a rash. Since its discovery, C. minutissimum has been identified as an opportunistic pathogen in immunosuppressed cancer and HIV patients. Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of C. minutissimum.

Erythrasma: A Superficial Cutaneous Bacterial Infection Overlooked in Clinical Practice

“…The genome for this organism has been decoded and reveals 2,469 protein-coding regions, 51 transfer RNA genes and 3 ribosomal RNA operons. 17 This information may be important for studying antibiotic sensitivity and resistance patterns.…”

Erythrasma: A report of nine men successfully managed with mupirocin 2% ointment monotherapy

“…Corynebacterium minutissimum is most commonly implicated, with few reports showing the involvement of other Corynebacterium species, such as C. aurimucosum and C. jeikeium; one study isolated Microbacterium oxydans (a coryneform Dermatology Online Journal || Case Presentation gram-positive rod) [1-4, 7-9, 15-17]. Corynebacterium minutissimum is a non-spore forming and facultatively anaerobic bacillus that thrives in warm, moist, and occlusive environments that promote bacterial proliferation [2,15]. In addition, Corynebacterium species are involved not only in pitted keratolysis of the plantar feet, but also in trichobacteriosis of the axilla (trichomycosis axillaris) [2,18].…”