GAS BACILLUS Meaning and
Definition
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Gas bacillus, also known as Clostridium perfringens, is a type of Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium commonly found in soil, water, and the intestines of humans and animals. It is responsible for causing gas gangrene, a severe and potentially life-threatening infection characterized by the production of gas and tissue destruction.
Gas bacillus produces a variety of toxins, including alpha, beta, and epsilon toxins, which contribute to the pathogenesis of the infection. These toxins facilitate the rapid spread of the bacterium, leading to tissue necrosis and the accumulation of gas within the infected site.
Symptoms of gas bacillus infection may include intense pain, swelling, and a foul-smelling discharge at the site of injury or surgery. The affected area may exhibit a pale, bluish discoloration due to impaired blood circulation. As the infection progresses, gas production increases, causing further tissue damage and eventual systemic toxicity.
Treatment for gas bacillus infection typically involves a combination of surgical intervention, antibiotics, and the administration of antitoxins to neutralize the toxins produced by the bacterium. Swift medical attention is crucial to prevent the potentially life-threatening complications associated with gas gangrene.
In conclusion, gas bacillus, or Clostridium perfringens, is a bacterium that causes gas gangrene through the production of various toxins. Its ability to rapidly spread and destroy tissue can lead to serious health consequences if left untreated.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for GAS BACILLUS
- gass bacillus
- fas bacillus
- vas bacillus
- bas bacillus
- has bacillus
- yas bacillus
- tas bacillus
- gzs bacillus
- gss bacillus
- gws bacillus
- gqs bacillus
- gaa bacillus
- gaz bacillus
- gax bacillus
- gad bacillus
- gae bacillus
- gaw bacillus
- gas vacillus
- gas nacillus
- gas hacillus
Etymology of GAS BACILLUS
The word "gas bacillus" is a combination of two terms: "gas" and "bacillus".
The term "gas" comes from the Greek word "khaos" meaning "void" or "emptiness". In the 17th century, the concept of a "gas" was introduced to describe a substance that expands to fill any container it occupies. It later came to refer specifically to a type of air that is not fog or vapor.
The term "bacillus" comes from the Latin word "bacillum", which means "small rod". In the late 19th century, German physician and microbiologist Robert Koch used the term "bacillus" to describe rod-shaped bacteria.
Combining these two terms, "gas bacillus" refers to a specific type of rod-shaped bacteria that produces gas.
