The spelling of the term "Bacillus coli communis" might seem tricky for those unfamiliar with Latin words. The IPA phonetic transcription may help to clarify it. Bacillus is pronounced /bəˈsɪləs/, which means a rod-shaped bacterium. Coli is pronounced /ˈkɒlaɪ/, referring to the colon, while communis is pronounced /ˈkɒmjʊnɪs/, which means common. Therefore, the proper pronunciation of Bacillus coli communis is /bəˈsɪləs ˈkɒlaɪ ˈkɒmjʊnɪs/. This term designates a type of bacterium frequently found in the intestines of humans and animals, often used as an indicator of fecal contamination in water.
Bacillus coli communis is a term used in microbiology to describe a common species of bacteria called Escherichia coli (E. coli). E. coli is a rod-shaped, gram-negative bacterium that belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae. It is typically found in the intestines of humans and warm-blooded animals, where it plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiota and facilitating digestion.
The term "Bacillus coli communis" specifically refers to the non-pathogenic or harmless strains of E. coli that normally reside in the intestines. These strains are an essential part of the human gastrointestinal tract, participating in the breakdown of food and the production of vitamins, as well as preventing the colonization of potentially harmful bacteria.
Despite its overall beneficial nature, certain strains of E. coli can be pathogenic and cause gastrointestinal infections. These pathogenic strains often possess specific virulence factors that differentiate them from non-pathogenic bacteria.
Laboratory techniques, such as microbiological culturing and genetic identification, can be used to distinguish and classify various strains of E. coli. Understanding the difference between pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains is crucial for diagnosing and treating infections caused by E. coli, as well as ensuring the safety of food and water supplies to prevent outbreaks of foodborne illnesses.
A motile, flagellated, gram-negative organism, normally present in the intestine; it is believed to be usually nonpathogenic, but readily becomes virulent and may invade the blood and tissues outside of the intestine.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.