Heterogeneity within Corynebacterium minutissimum strains is explained by misidentified Corynebacterium amycolatum strains.

Forty-eight clinical strains that were tentatively identified as Corynebacterium minutissimum on the basis of standard biochemical reactions (Hollis-Weaver tables) as well as by the use of the API (RAPID) Coryne system were examined further. Two different groups of strains were observed. The first group (including the type strain of C minutissimum) contained 27 strains showing creamy colonies. These strains grew homogeneously in 6.5% NaCl broth, exhibited DNase activity, were susceptible to the vibriocidal compound O/129, produced succinic acid, and contained mycolic acids. The second group comprised 21 strains with dry colonies. They grew in clumps at the surface of 6.5% NaCl broth, DNase activity was not detected, they were resistant against O/129, produced large amounts of propionic acid, and mycolic acids were not detected. In combination with quantitative DNA-DNA hybridizations, it was demonstrated that strains of the second cluster belonged, in fact, to C amycolatum. Furthermore, it was observed that a few C minutissimum strains may also ferment mannitol. These data indicate that the clinical microbiologist must be careful not to misidentify C amycolatum strains as C minutissimum.