Nocardia minutissima is a species of bacteria that belongs to the Nocardia genus. The phonetic transcription of the word, /noʊkɑːrdiə mɪnjuˈtɪsɪmə/, shows that it is pronounced as noh-KAR-dee-uh min-yoo-TIS-uh-muh. The unique spelling of this word is due to its Latin origins and the rules of scientific nomenclature. It is important for scientists and researchers to correctly spell and pronounce the names of organisms to avoid confusion and ensure accurate communication in scientific literature.
Nocardia minutissima is a species of bacteria that belongs to the genus Nocardia within the phylum Actinobacteria. It is a gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile and non-spore-forming bacterium. The name "minutissima" is derived from the Latin word "minutus," meaning very small, which refers to the tiny size of this bacterium.
Nocardia minutissima is commonly found in soil, water, and decaying organic matter. It has been isolated from various environmental sources, including polluted water, compost, and plant material. It is also considered an opportunistic human pathogen, capable of causing disease in immunocompromised individuals. Infections caused by Nocardia minutissima typically manifest as lung infections, skin lesions, and disseminated infections.
This bacterium is characterized by its branching filamentous growth pattern and ability to form hyphae, which are long, thread-like structures. It produces aerial mycelium and develops spore-like structures called sporangia along the hyphae. Nocardia minutissima is known for its ability to produce a variety of secondary metabolites, including antibiotics such as nocardicin A. These secondary metabolites contribute to its ecological significance and potential applications in antimicrobial therapy.
In summary, Nocardia minutissima is a small, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterium commonly found in diverse environmental habitats. It can cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals and is characterized by its filamentous growth pattern and production of secondary metabolites.
Microsporon minutissimum, the pathogenic agent in erythrasma.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Nocardia" is derived from the name of the French veterinarian Edmond Nocard, who first described the genus Nocardia in 1888. Nocardia is a type of bacteria found in soil and water, known for its filamentous and branching morphology.
The word "minutissima" is derived from the Latin term "minutissimus", which means extremely small or tiny. In this context, it refers to the small size of the Nocardia minutissima bacterium, which is a species within the Nocardia genus.