Streptococcus (noun)

A genus of spherical bacteria that are typically found in pairs or chains, and include many species that are pathogenic to humans and animals.

Origin:

From the greek word streptos meaning "twisted" and kokkos meaning "berry" or "grain".

Examples:

1. Streptococcus pyogenes is a common cause of pharyngitis and skin infections.
2. The patient was infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae.
3. The Streptococcus bacteria can cause a variety of infections such as strep throat, impetigo, and pneumonia.
4. The Streptococcus mutans is the primary cause of tooth decay.
5. The lab identified the bacteria as Streptococcus agalactiae.