The bacterial species "Micrococcus melitensis" is a mouthful to pronounce, but its spelling can be deciphered using the International Phonetic Alphabet. The first word, "Micrococcus," is pronounced as /maɪkroʊˈkɑkəs/. The second word, "melitensis," is pronounced as /mɛləˈtɛnsɪs/. The letters "c" and "s" in "Micrococcus" are pronounced as "k" and "s" respectively, while "t" and "s" in "melitensis" are pronounced as "t" and "s" as well. Proper pronunciation of scientific names ensures accurate communication among researchers and clinicians.
Micrococcus melitensis is a gram-positive bacterium belonging to the family Micrococcaceae. It is a coccus-shaped bacterium that is typically found in soil, water, and animals. This bacterium is a facultative intracellular pathogen that primarily infects mammals, particularly goats and sheep.
Micrococcus melitensis is the causative agent of brucellosis, a zoonotic infectious disease that affects humans and animals worldwide. This bacterium enters the body through the ingestion of contaminated food products or direct contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids. Once inside the host, it can cause a variety of clinical symptoms, including fever, fatigue, joint pain, and inflammation of various organs such as the liver and spleen.
The diagnosis of Micrococcus melitensis infection typically relies on culturing the bacterium from blood or other clinical specimens. Various laboratory tests, such as serological tests or polymerase chain reaction (PCR), may also be used to confirm the presence of the bacterium.
Treatment of Micrococcus melitensis infection involves the administration of antibiotics such as doxycycline and streptomycin for an extended period of time. However, due to the ability of the bacterium to establish chronic infections and the potential development of antibiotic resistance, the treatment can be challenging.
Prevention of Micrococcus melitensis infection involves practicing good hygiene measures, ensuring proper pasteurization of dairy products, and implementing control measures in animal populations to prevent transmission to humans.
A non-motile, gram-negative organism discovered by Bruce in 1887, the specific cause of Malta fever.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The etymology of the term "Micrococcus melitensis" can be broken down as follows:
1. Micrococcus: The word "Micrococcus" is derived from the Greek words "mikros" meaning "small" and "kokkos" meaning "granule" or "berry". The term was coined by German botanist Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg in the mid-19th century to describe a genus of bacteria characterized by their small spherical shape.
2. Melitensis: The term "melitensis" is derived from the Latin word "Melita" meaning "Malta". This name was specifically used to indicate a geographical association. "Melitensis" was added to the name of the bacterium to reflect its original isolation and identification on the island of Malta.