pneumococcus

pneumococcus /pneu·mo·coc·cus/ (-kok´us) pl. pneumococ´ci   an individual organism of the species Streptococcus pneumoniae.

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pneu·mo·coc·cus (nm-kks)

n. pl. pneu·mo·coc·ci (-kks, -kk)

A nonmotile, gram-positive bacterium (Streptococcus pneumoniae) that is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia and is associated with meningitis and other infectious diseases.

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pneumo·coccal (-kkl) adj.

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pneumococcus

[no̅o̅′mōkok′əs] pl. pneumococci

Etymology: Gk, pneumon + kokkos, berry

a gram-positive diplococcal bacterium of the species Streptococcus pneumoniae, the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. More than 85 subtypes of this organism are known. A vaccine protective against 35 serotypes has been developed and is recommended for those over 65 years of age, those with a chronic lung disease, or those with human immunodeficiency virus infection. See also lobar pneumonia, pneumonia, Streptococcus pneumoniae.

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Pneumococcus (nōōˑ·mō·k·ks),

n a pathogenic bacterium often found in the lungs and upper respiratory tract.

Pneumococcus.

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pneumococcus

see streptococcuspneumoniae.

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Patient discussion about pneumococcus.

Q. What Is Streptococcal Pneumonia? I have heard that I might have streptococcal pneumonia. What exactly does that mean?

A. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs by bacterias, viruses or other infectious causes. Streptococcal pneumonia is the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia in all age groups except newborn infants. This bacteria often lives in the throat of people who do not have pneumonia, and in specific situations might infect the lungs. For instance, a simple upper respiratory viral infetion such as the common cold might weaken the body, and therefore create an easy path for the streptococcus bacteria to invade to the lung, and cause pneumonia.