coccus /coc·cus/ (kok´us) pl. coc´ci [L.] a spherical bacterium, less than 1 μm in diameter.coc´cal
coccus
coccus [kok´us] (pl. coc´ci) (L.)
coc·cus (k k  s)n. pl. coc·ci (k ks , kk) A bacterium of round, spheroidal, or ovoid form. coc coid (kkoid), coccal (kkl) adj. |
coccus
[kok′əs] pl. cocci
Etymology: Gk, kokkos, berry
a bacterium that is round, spheric, or oval, such as gonococcus, pneumococcus, staphylococcus, and streptococcus. coccal, adj.
coccus [kok´us] (pl. coc´ci) (L.)
a spherical bacterium, usually slightly less than 1 μ in diameter, belonging to the Micrococcaceae family. It is one of the three basic forms of bacteria, the other two being bacillus (rod-shaped) and spirillum (spiral-shaped). A pathogenic coccus can almost always be classified as either a staphylococcus (occurring in clusters), or a streptococcus (occurring in short or long chains). Both staphylococci and streptococci are gram-positive and do not form spores.
The staphylococci are responsible for many serious infections, especially Staphylococcus aureus, which is the causative agent in boils, abscesses, osteomyelitis, and a large variety of other infections. Staphylococci have received much attention in recent years because of the ability of most strains to develop a resistance to antibiotics.
The most dangerous streptococci are those of the beta-hemolytic type. Various species of streptococci cause sore throat, scarlet fever, mastoiditis, and septicemia.
The staphylococci are responsible for many serious infections, especially Staphylococcus aureus, which is the causative agent in boils, abscesses, osteomyelitis, and a large variety of other infections. Staphylococci have received much attention in recent years because of the ability of most strains to develop a resistance to antibiotics.
The most dangerous streptococci are those of the beta-hemolytic type. Various species of streptococci cause sore throat, scarlet fever, mastoiditis, and septicemia.
Cocci.
coccus
pl. cocci [L.] a spherical bacterium, usually slightly less than 1 μm in diameter, belonging to the Micrococcaceae family. It is one of the three basic forms of bacteria, the other two being bacillus (rod-shaped) and spirillum (spiral-shaped). Almost all of the pathogenic cocci are either staphylococci, which occur in clusters, or streptococci, which occur in short or long chains. Both staphylococci and streptococci are gram-positive and do not form spores.
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