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Glite Dictionary
Neisseria lactamica

Neisseria lactamica

8.5
A harmless bacterium found in children's noses and throats used in vaccine research
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Neisseria lactamica
  • Researchers found that Neisseria lactamica is often present in the throats of healthy young children.

Examples

  • Some studies suggest that colonization by Neisseria lactamica may lower the risk of meningococcal infection.

  • Doctors explained that Neisseria lactamica is a harmless bacterium and does not cause disease in humans.

  • Neisseria lactamica is harmless.

  • The Neisseria lactamica strain is common.

  • Researchers found that Neisseria lactamica is often present in the throats of healthy young children.

  • Some studies suggest that colonization by Neisseria lactamica may lower the risk of meningococcal infection.

  • Doctors explained that Neisseria lactamica is a harmless bacterium and does not cause disease in humans.

Surface Forms

Neisseria lactamica singular
Neisseria lactamica plural

Morphology

Neisseria + lactamica

This is a Latin binomial scientific name: the parts are an arbitrary taxonomic label rather than a compositional phrase whose meaning a learner could infer. Even if a learner recognized 'Neisseria' as a bacterial genus, they would not be able to deduce from 'lactamica' that this particular species is harmless or commonly found in children; taxonomic epithets are essentially opaque labels across languages.

Etymology

Neisseria lactamica may get its name from two parts: Neisseria after Dr Albert Neisser, who first studied bacteria in this group, and lactamica from the Latin for 'milk' or 'lactose', pointing to a link with milk sugar. So the name can help you remember it is a harmless Neisseria species often found in children's throats and used in vaccine research.