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Glite Dictionary
meningococcus

meningococcus

2 9.3
A germ that can cause meningitis and other serious infections in people
  • noun
  • /ˌmɛnɪŋəˈkɒkəs/
  • Specialized
: meningococo
  • A vaccine is available to protect against infections caused by meningococcus.

Examples

  • The meningococcus bacterium can lead to severe health complications.

  • The laboratory confirmed the presence of meningococcus in the patient's spinal fluid.

  • Doctors warned that meningococcus can spread quickly in crowded places like dormitories.

  • Many cases of meningitis are caused by meningococcus.

  • The meningococcus bacterium can lead to severe cases of meningitis if not treated promptly.

  • Doctors warned that meningococcus infections can be life-threatening without appropriate antibiotics.

  • Vaccination can help prevent serious diseases caused by meningococcus, including meningitis.

Synonyms

Neisseria meningitidis
vsmeningococcus
  • Specialized
1 8.4

A germ that can cause meningitis but often lives harmlessly in the nose or throat

refers to the bacterium as a disease cause without noting harmless carriage

Surface Forms

meningococcus singular
meningococci plural

Etymology

Meningococcus comes from two parts: meningo- from a Greek word for the thin 'membranes' that cover the brain and spinal cord, and -coccus from a Greek word for 'berry', because scientists use it for round bacteria. So meningococcus means a round bacterium linked to the brain membranes, which explains why it can cause meningitis.