MICROCOCCUS FOETIDUS Meaning and
Definition
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Micrococcus foetidus is a Gram-positive bacterium belonging to the family Micrococcaceae. It is a spherical-shaped (coccus) bacterium, typically found in irregular clusters or pairs. The specific epithet, "foetidus," refers to the unpleasant, sometimes offensive, odor produced by this bacterium.
Micrococcus foetidus is commonly found in various environments, including soil, water, and air. It can also be isolated from animal sources, such as the skin and nasal passages of humans and other mammals. Although typically considered a harmless commensal organism, under certain conditions, it may manifest opportunistic pathogenic traits.
On a microbiological level, Micrococcus foetidus is characterized by its ability to grow under aerobic conditions. It is catalase-positive, meaning it produces the enzyme catalase, which aids in breaking down hydrogen peroxide. This bacterium can ferment glucose and other carbohydrates, producing lactic acid as a metabolic byproduct.
In clinical settings, Micrococcus foetidus is occasionally associated with infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. These infections most commonly manifest as skin and soft tissue infections, including abscesses and cellulitis. However, due to its less virulent nature compared to other Micrococcus species, infections caused by M. foetidus tend to be relatively rare.
Overall, Micrococcus foetidus is a Gram-positive, spherical-shaped bacterium that can be found in various environments and occasionally cause opportunistic infections. Its distinctive feature lies in the production of an unpleasant odor, which inspired its specific epithet.
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A species found in carious teeth and in certain cases of fetid pharyngitis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MICROCOCCUS FOETIDUS
- nicrococcus foetidus
- kicrococcus foetidus
- jicrococcus foetidus
- mucrococcus foetidus
- mjcrococcus foetidus
- mkcrococcus foetidus
- mocrococcus foetidus
- m9crococcus foetidus
- m8crococcus foetidus
- mixrococcus foetidus
- mivrococcus foetidus
- mifrococcus foetidus
- midrococcus foetidus
- miceococcus foetidus
- micdococcus foetidus
- micfococcus foetidus
- mictococcus foetidus
- mic5ococcus foetidus
- mic4ococcus foetidus
- micricoccus foetidus
Etymology of MICROCOCCUS FOETIDUS
The word "Micrococcus foetidus" is a scientific name used to describe a specific type of bacteria. The etymology of this word can be broken down as follows:
1. Micrococcus: The term "Micrococcus" comes from the Greek words "mikrós" meaning "small" and "kókkos" referring to "a grain or seed". It was coined by German microbiologist Ferdinand Cohn in 1872 to describe a group of spherical-shaped bacteria that appear as small grains or clusters under the microscope.
2. Foetidus: The word "foetidus" is a Latin adjective that means "foul" or "stinky". It is derived from the Latin verb "foetere", which means "to stink" or "to have a bad odor".
