Spirillum minus
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun 1. A pathogenic bacterium: Spirillum minus is a specific species of spiral-shaped bacterium. It is the causative agent of one form of rat-bite fever, a bacterial infection.
Usage Notes
- This term is a scientific, taxonomic name for a microorganism. It is always written in italics () in formal scientific writing.
- The first part of the name, , is the genus (capitalized). The second part, , is the specific epithet (not capitalized).
- It is used almost exclusively in medical, microbiological, and veterinary contexts.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The patient's fever and rash were consistent with an infection by Spirillum minus.
- Diagnosis of sodoku, the form of rat-bite fever caused by Spirillum minus, can be confirmed by microscopic identification of the organism.
- Spirillum minus is primarily transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected rodent.
Advanced Usage
- Taxonomic Classification: The full classification places within the family Spirillaceae of the Proteobacteria phylum.
- Clinical Context: The disease it causes is often distinguished from the other primary form of rat-bite fever, which is caused by .
Variants and Related Words
- Sodoku (n): The specific name for the disease caused by infection. It is derived from Japanese words for "rat" and "poison."
- Rat-bite fever (n): The general term for the infectious disease, which can be caused by either or .
- Spirillum (n): The genus name for a group of rigid, spiral-shaped bacteria.
Synonyms
- Pathogen: A general term for any disease-causing microorganism.
- Bacterium: A general term for a single-celled prokaryotic microorganism.
Noun
- a bacterium causing ratbite fever