You searched for: “bacilli
bacillus (s), bacilli (pl)
A genus of large aerobic, spore-forming, rod-shaped bacteria.

This is a large group (genus) of rod-like bacteria found widely in the air and soil; commonly as spore, they feed on dead organic matter.

As well as infecting and spoiling food, some are pathogenic to humans; causing, for example, anthrax, conjunctivitis, and dysentery. They are also the source of some antibiotics.

This entry is located in the following unit: bacillo-, bacill-, bacilli- (page 1)
(Latin: rod, staff, stick; a rod-shaped bacterium)