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streptococcus Definition

strep·to·coc·cus (strep′tə käk′əs)

noun pl. streptococci -·coc′ci′ (-käk′sī′)

any of a genus (Streptococcus) of spherical, Gram-positive bacteria that divide in only one plane and occur generally in chains: some species cause various serious diseases

Etymology: ModL < Gr streptos, twisted (see streptomyces) + coccus

Related Forms:

streptococcus Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • beta-haemolytic: On the spot reporter: According to doctors, a beta-haemolytic streptococcus infected a minor incision in the patient's leg.
  • beta: The culture of the bacteriological swab from the left ear had shown beta haemolytic streptococcus.

Modifies a noun

  • pneumoniae: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause, accounting for nearly 40 % of infections.
  • pyogenes: Some, caused by the streptococcus pyogenes bacterium, may be severe and are treatable with antibiotics.
  • bacterium: A streptococcus bacteria is now added to change the lactose in the milk to lactic acid.
  • infection: Rawson, the Navigator, had to be operated on for a streptococcus throat infection.
  • group: Among the bacteria that cause sore throats, the streptococcus group A is the most common.
  • faecalis: The urinary tract is the most common site of infection but Streptococcus faecalis may not be the only organism responsible.

Noun used with modifier

  • B: Culture of throat and arm swabs from the donors of this unit did not isolate any group B streptococcus.
  • bacterium: The foam inside the camera was found to have a strain of the bacterium Streptococcus mitis still living inside it.
  • group: Culture of throat and arm swabs from the donors of this unit did not isolate any group B streptococcus.