GONOCOCCUS Meaning and
Definition
-
Gonococcus is a noun that refers to a specific type of bacteria known as Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which is responsible for causing the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea. It is a gram-negative, diplococcal bacterium that is typically found in pairs, appearing as two elongated oval-shaped cells joined together.
The term "gonococcus" is derived from the Greek words "gono" meaning "seed" and "kokkos" meaning "berry," describing the bacterium's appearance. It is an obligate human pathogen and is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse, as well as through vertical transmission from an infected mother to her newborn during delivery.
Gonococcus is highly adapted to the reproductive tract and can infect various areas, including the urethra, cervix, rectum, throat, and eyes. The most commonly reported symptoms of gonorrhea in males include painful urination, penile discharge, and swollen testicles, while females may experience vaginal discharge, pain during urination, and pelvic pain. However, the infection can also be asymptomatic, especially in females, which increases the risk of unknowingly spreading the disease.
Diagnosis of gonococcus involves laboratory tests such as nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) or cultures, which enable the identification of the bacteria. Treatment includes the use of antibiotics, although the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains poses challenges in effectively managing the infection. Untreated gonococcal infections can lead to severe complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease in females and epididymitis in males. Therefore, early detection, diagnosis, and timely treatment are crucial in controlling the spread of gonorrhea and its potential complications.
-
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for GONOCOCCUS
- fonococcus
- vonococcus
- bonococcus
- honococcus
- yonococcus
- tonococcus
- ginococcus
- gknococcus
- glnococcus
- gpnococcus
- g0nococcus
- g9nococcus
- gobococcus
- gomococcus
- gojococcus
- gohococcus
- gonicoccus
- gonkcoccus
- gonlcoccus
- gonpcoccus
Etymology of GONOCOCCUS
The word "gonococcus" is derived from Latin and Greek roots.
The first part of the word, "gono-", comes from the Greek word "gonos", which means seed or offspring. This element refers to the reproductive aspect of the bacteria that causes gonorrhea, as the infection primarily affects the reproductive system.
The second part of the word, "-coccus", comes from the Greek word "kokkos", which means berry or grain. It is used in biology to refer to bacteria with a spherical shape, resembling a berry or grain. This suffix is used because the bacteria responsible for gonorrhea, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, are gram-negative, diplococcal organisms and have a spherical appearance under a microscope.
Therefore, the word "gonococcus" combines these two elements to describe the specific bacteria causing gonorrhea, emphasizing its reproductive nature and spherical shape.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
