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Yersinia

Yersinia

1 9.9
A group of bacteria that includes species causing serious diseases like plague
  • proper noun
  • /jɜrˈsɪniə/
  • Specialized
: Yersinia
  • The bacteria, Yersinia pestis, is prevalent in rats, and it is transmitted to humans via flea bites.
  • Yersinia pestis

Examples

  • Plague, a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, has been responsible for at least three pandemics.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Some say the Black Death was a bacterial strain of Yersinia pestis.

    Blog text (28)
  • Yersinia pestis, being a bacterium, is massive when compared to a virus, and is easily treated with modern antibiotics.

    Blog text (12)
  • Yersinia infection most often occurs from eating raw or undercooked pork products, such as chitterlings.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Through the introduction of dry heat, both the elimination of the plague bacillus (Yersinia pestis) and its vectors (the fleas) were guaranteed (30).

    Academic text (2013)
  • The CDC also noted significant reductions in illnesses caused by E. coli and the pathogens Listeria, Campylobacter, Yersinia, and Salmonella.

    Academic text (2006)
  • The Black Death bubonic pandemic, believed to be caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is estimated to have killed between a third and two-thirds of Europe's population after it spread to Europe in 1347 from Southwestern/Central Asia.

    Blog text (12)
  • The bacterium Yersinia pestis is known for causing the plague, which decimated populations in medieval Europe.

  • In her microbiology class, she learned that Yersinia can lead to severe diseases, including the infamous bubonic plague.

  • The scientist explained how Yersinia pestis is transmitted through flea bites, making it a concern for public health.

Surface Forms

Yersinia main

Morphology

Yersinia = Yersin (opaque) = Yersin + ia

A Latinized taxonomic formation from a proper name; knowing the name 'Yersin' does not allow a learner to infer 'genus of bacteria' in ordinary English.

Etymology

Yersinia is named after the scientist Yersin, who discovered the germ that causes the plague. The ending -ia is a Latin name ending used for groups of living things, so Yersinia means a 'group' of bacteria linked to plague and other diseases.