Which organism is described as having small stick-shaped bodies?

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Corynebacterium is recognized for its characteristic morphology of small, stick-shaped bodies, often described as club-shaped or irregularly shaped due to their pattern of division. This genus contains several important human pathogens, including Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which causes diphtheria. The arrangement of these organisms can give the appearance of "Chinese letters" in a microscope due to their unique division pattern.

In contrast, Clostridium typically appears as larger, rod-shaped bacteria that may appear as long chains or clusters but do not exhibit the same small stick shape. Bacillus organisms are generally larger and can produce endospores, giving them a distinctive rod shape but again, they are not classified under the "small stick-shaped" category. Mycobacterium species, while rod-shaped, are also characterized by their slow growth and thicker cell walls, making them different in appearance and not fitting the description as closely.

Understanding the morphological characteristics of these organisms helps in their identification and can guide further clinical decisions based on the pathogens identified in laboratory testing.

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