Definition

Noun 1. A type of rod-shaped, Gram-negative bacterium that forms chains: A streptobacillus is any of various bacteria characterized by a rod-like (bacillus) shape, a negative result in the Gram stain test, and a tendency to grow in linked chains (strepto-).

Usage and Examples

• The laboratory report identified the infectious agent as a streptobacillus.
• Under the microscope, the streptobacillus appeared as a chain of small rods.
• Researchers are studying the virulence factors of this particular streptobacillus.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• The term is primarily used in technical, medical, and microbiological contexts. It is a taxonomic descriptor based on morphology (shape and arrangement) and staining characteristics.
• is a specific and well-known species that causes rat-bite fever in humans.

Variants and Related Words

• Bacillus (n): A general term for any rod-shaped bacterium.
• Streptococcus (n): A genus of Gram-positive bacteria that grow in chains. (Contrasts with streptobacillus in Gram-stain result).
• Gram-negative (adj): Describing bacteria that do not retain the crystal violet stain in the Gram-staining protocol, often associated with an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides.

Synonyms

• Rod-shaped bacterium (when referring to shape, but this is a broader, less specific term).
• Chain-forming bacillus (a descriptive synonym).

Different Meanings

• This word has a single, specific meaning in microbiology. It does not have common idiomatic or figurative uses.

Noun

1. any of various rod-shaped Gram-negative bacteria