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Glite Dictionary
coccobacillus

coccobacillus

9.9
A very short bacterium with a shape between round and rod
  • noun
  • /ˌkɒkəʊbəˈsɪləs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : coccobacilo
  • Under the microscope, the pathogen appeared as a coccobacillus rather than a typical coccus or bacillus.

Examples

  • Some bacteria, such as Haemophilus influenzae, are classified as coccobacillus due to their intermediate shape.

  • Many coccobacilli are pathogenic to humans.

  • Accurate identification of a coccobacillus can be essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.

  • The coccobacillus is often found in respiratory infections.

  • Accurate identification of a coccobacillus can be essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.

  • Some bacteria, such as Haemophilus influenzae, are classified as coccobacillus due to their intermediate shape.

  • Under the microscope, the pathogen appeared as a coccobacillus rather than a typical coccus or bacillus.

How Spherical

coccus
  • Specialized
9.3
coccobacillus
  • Specialized
9.9
bacillus
  • Specialized
2 8.6

Surface Forms

coccobacillus singular
coccobacilli plural

Morphology

coccobacillus = coccus + bacillus (transparent) = cocco + bacillus

The term combines 'coccus' and 'bacillus', indicating a shape between spherical and rod-like.

Etymology

Coccobacillus comes from two parts, coccus ('round' or 'berry') and bacillus ('rod' or 'stick'), which creates the picture of a small organism that is between a tiny ball and a short rod. So, a coccobacillus names a bacterium that is not fully round like a coccus or long like a bacillus but looks like a very short rod.