<prompt> Corynebacterium diphtheria isGram-positive cocciGram-positive bacilliGram-negative cocciGram-negative bacilli  <response>: Ref: Harrisons 19th ed. pg. 978 C. diphtheriae is a Gram-positive bacillus that is unencapsulated, nonmotile, and nonsporulating. The bacteria have a characteristic club-shaped bacillary appearance and typically form clusters of parallel rays, or palisades, that are referred to as Chinese characters 