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Glite Dictionary
Rhodococcus

Rhodococcus

1 9.9
A type of bacteria that lives in soil and can cause disease in animals and humans
  • proper noun
  • /ˌroʊdəˈkɒkəs/
  • Specialized
: Rhodococcus
  • The Rhodococcus genus includes several species that can affect livestock.

Examples

  • Veterinarians are aware that Rhodococcus can cause pneumonia in young horses.

  • Researchers are studying how Rhodococcus species break down environmental pollutants.

  • Rhodococcus is often found in soil and can sometimes infect animals.

  • Did you know that Rhodococcus can survive in extreme conditions?

  • The veterinarian diagnosed the infection as caused by Rhodococcus equi, which is known to affect horses.

  • Researchers are studying how Rhodococcus species can be used in bioremediation due to their ability to break down pollutants in soil.

  • Outbreaks of disease linked to Rhodococcus have raised concerns among farmers about the health of livestock.

Surface Forms

Rhodococcus main

Morphology

Rhodococcus = coccus (opaque) = rhodo + coccus

Formally built from the combining form 'rhodo-' (red) + 'coccus' (spherical bacterium), but both elements are technical combining forms unfamiliar to an average B1 learner, so the meaning is not easily derived.

Etymology

Rhodococcus comes from the Greek parts rhodo- meaning 'rose' or 'red' and -coccus meaning 'berry' or 'round', so the name paints a picture of a small, round (sometimes reddish) bacterium and helps explain why it is used for soil bacteria that can sometimes cause disease in animals and humans.