PNEUMOCOCCUS Meaning and
Definition
-
Pneumococcus refers to a bacterium known scientifically as Streptococcus pneumoniae. This particular microorganism is a gram-positive, nonmotile, and facultative anaerobic bacterium that typically resides and multiplies harmlessly within the human upper respiratory tract. It is primarily responsible for causing pneumonia but can also lead to various other severe infections such as meningitis, otitis media (middle ear infection), sinusitis, and bacteremia.
Pneumococcus is a spherical or oval-shaped bacterium, organized in pairs with a characteristic "lancet-shaped" appearance. It is surrounded by a polysaccharide capsule, a significant virulence factor responsible for its pathogenicity. This capsule comprises multiple types, each defining distinct strains of pneumococci with varying virulence levels and causing different diseases.
Pneumococcus is spread from person to person through respiratory droplets expelled during coughing, sneezing, or close contact with an infected individual. It is especially dangerous for individuals with weakened immune systems, such as young children, older adults, or those with certain medical conditions.
Vaccines have been developed to combat pneumococcal infections. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) have proven effective in preventing pneumococcal diseases, particularly pneumonia, and have significantly reduced disease burden worldwide.
Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment with antibiotics are crucial for managing pneumococcal infections and preventing complications. Due to the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains, treatment decisions should be guided by surveillance data and susceptibility testing to ensure effective therapy.
-
Diplococcus pneumonioe, Micrococcus lanceolatus, Streptococcus lanceolatus, the pathogenic microorganism of croupous pneumonia. Four principal types or strains of the p. are recognized, called respectively Type I, II, III, IV; Type III, called also.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PNEUMOCOCCUS
- oneumococcus
- lneumococcus
- -neumococcus
- 0neumococcus
- pbeumococcus
- pmeumococcus
- pjeumococcus
- pheumococcus
- pnwumococcus
- pnsumococcus
- pndumococcus
- pnrumococcus
- pn4umococcus
- pn3umococcus
- pneymococcus
- pnehmococcus
- pnejmococcus
- pneimococcus
- pne8mococcus
- pseucococcus
Etymology of PNEUMOCOCCUS
The word pneumococcus is derived from two Greek words: pneumo, meaning breath or lung, and kokkos, meaning berry or berry-shaped. These Greek roots reflect the characteristics of the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes pneumonia and is spherical or berry-shaped under a microscope. So, pneumococcus can be understood as lung berry or berry-shaped bacteria associated with the lungs.
Similar spelling words for PNEUMOCOCCUS
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
