Corynebacterium mallei is a Gram-positive bacterium and the causative agent of glanders, a highly infectious equine disease. The spelling of this word can be a bit tricky, as it contains some less familiar sounds. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be spelled /kɔːrɪnɪˈbæktərɪəm mæli/. The "c" and "h" sounds in "Coryne-" are combined as a "k" sound, and the stress is on the second syllable. "Mallei" is pronounced with an "a" sound as in "cat" and a long "i" sound at the end.
Corynebacterium mallei is a bacterial species that belongs to the genus Corynebacterium, which comprises Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria. This species is responsible for causing a highly contagious infectious disease known as glanders. Glanders primarily affects horses and can occasionally infect other animals, including humans. It is considered a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
Corynebacterium mallei is characterized by its ability to infect various organs and tissues within the host organism. It is primarily transmitted through direct contact with fluids or tissues of infected animals, such as respiratory secretions, nasal discharges, or skin lesions. Inhalation of contaminated aerosols and ingestion of contaminated water or feeds are also potential routes of transmission.
In humans, glanders can manifest in different forms, including localized skin ulcers, respiratory tract infection, or an overwhelming systemic infection. Symptoms may include fever, cough, chest pain, and lymphadenitis. Glanders can be a severe and often fatal disease if not treated promptly and appropriately. Nowadays, with the implementation of strict control measures, glanders has become relatively rare in most parts of the world.
Prompt diagnosis of glanders involves laboratory tests for isolating and identifying Corynebacterium mallei from clinical samples. Treatment typically involves a combination of antimicrobial agents, but the effectiveness of treatment can be variable. Preventive measures such as quarantine, proper hygiene practices, and vaccination of susceptible animals play crucial roles in the control and prevention of glanders outbreaks.
The glanders bacillus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Corynebacterium mallei" has a clear etymology based on the Latin language and scientific naming conventions.
1. Corynebacterium: Derived from the Greek word "korynē" meaning "club" and the Latin word "bacterium" meaning "bacterium". The term refers to the club-like shape of the bacterium observed under a microscope.
2. Mallei: Derived from the Latin word "malleus", meaning "hammer". The term refers to the disease caused by the bacterium, which was historically known as "glanders" due to its occurrence in horses, which were used for hammering in medieval times.
Putting it together, "Corynebacterium mallei" literally means "club-shaped bacterium causing glanders". This name was given to the bacterium because of its characteristic shape and its association with the disease.