Diplococcus
Appearance
A diplococcus (plural diplococci) is a round bacterium (a coccus) that typically occurs in the form of two joined cells. Examples of gram-negative diplococci are Neisseria spp., Moraxella catarrhalis, and Acinetobacter spp. Examples of gram-positive diplococci are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Enterococcus spp.[1]
The word diplococcus is derived from "diplo", meaning double, and "coccus", meaning berry (referring to its spherical, ovoid, and generally round shape).
In former times, a bacterial genus Diplococcus was recognized, but it is not used anymore.
Diplococcus has been implicated in encephalitis lethargica.[2]
References
- ^ Richard A. Harvey (Ph.D.) (2007). Microbiology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 395–. ISBN 978-0-7817-8215-9.
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3930727.stm