The word "Bacillus pseudodiphthericus" is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /bəˈsɪləs ˌsuːdoʊˈdɪfθɛrɪkəs/. The word begins with the consonant "b", pronounced as a voiced bilabial stop (/b/), followed by the schwa sound (/ə/). The stress falls on the second syllable, where the "i" is pronounced as a short "i" sound (/ɪ/). The word ends with the combination of "cus", pronounced as /kəs/. Overall, this spelling represents the scientific name of a type of bacteria.
Bacillus pseudodiphthericus is a species of Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus. It is distinguished by its ability to produce colony morphologies resembling those of the diphtheria-causing bacterium, Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
This bacterium is anaerobic to facultative anaerobic and is commonly found in various environmental sources, such as soil, water, and decaying organic matter. It has also been isolated from the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts of animals and humans, although it is considered non-pathogenic to humans.
Bacillus pseudodiphthericus cells possess a cell wall that contains peptidoglycan, and they stain purple during the Gram staining procedure. The species is classified as motile, as it possesses peritrichous flagella that facilitate movement.
In terms of metabolic properties, Bacillus pseudodiphthericus is able to ferment a variety of carbohydrates, including glucose, lactose, and mannitol. It is also capable of producing an array of enzymes that enable the breakdown of complex substances.
Although it is generally considered a non-pathogenic bacterium, certain strains of Bacillus pseudodiphthericus have been reported to possess the potential for producing toxins and have been implicated in opportunist infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. However, it is important to highlight that such cases are rare and further research is required to understand the underlying mechanisms of pathogenesis of this bacterium.
Hoffmann's b., an organism resembling the B. diphtheriae, but probably not pathogenic.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The etymology of the word "Bacillus pseudodiphthericus" can be broken down as follows:
1. Bacillus: The word "Bacillus" comes from the Latin term "bacillum", which means a small staff or rod. It is a diminutive form of "baculum" ("staff" or "rod") and refers to the rod-shaped, cylindrical morphology of certain bacteria, including this genus.
2. Pseudodiphthericus: "Pseudodiphthericus" is derived from two parts, "pseudo-" and "diphthericus".
- Pseudo-: The prefix "pseudo-" is derived from the Greek word "pseudḗs", which means false, deceptive, or resembling. It is used to signify that something bears a deceptive or misleading similarity to something else.