actinomyces

[ ak-tin-oh-mahy-seez, ak-tuh-noh- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Bacteriology.

, plural ac·tin·o·my·ces.

any of several saprophytic, filamentous, anaerobic bacteria of the genus Actinomyces, certain species of which are pathogenic for humans and animals.

< New Latin (1877), equivalent to Greek aktino- actino- + mýkēs fungus ( myco- )

Of these, the most important is the streptothrix actinomyces, the cause of actinomycosis in man and cattle.

This organism, also called Streptothrix actinomyces, apparently stands midway between the bacteria and the molds.

The actinomyces gain access to the bone through a carious tooth or through the gum.

Bollinger determined that the Actinomyces bovis (Streptothrix bovis) is the cause of actinomycosis in cattle in 1877.

The tumors and abscesses wherever they may be are all found to be the same in origin by the presence of the actinomyces fungus.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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