Haemophilus
Haemophilus
Haemophilus (pronunciation: /heɪˈmɒfɪləs/) is a genus of Gram-negative, pleomorphic, coccobacilli bacteria. The name is derived from the Greek words haima (blood) and philos (loving), indicating its growth requirement for blood factors.
Etymology
The term Haemophilus is derived from the Greek words haima meaning 'blood' and philos meaning 'loving'. This is due to the bacteria's requirement for blood factors for growth.
Classification
The genus Haemophilus is a member of the family Pasteurellaceae. It includes major species like Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus ducreyi.
Characteristics
Haemophilus species are small, non-motile, non-spore-forming, Gram-negative coccobacilli. They are facultative anaerobes, meaning they can grow in both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor environments. Some species require both X (hemin) and V (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) factors for growth.
Pathogenesis
Haemophilus species are often part of the normal flora in the upper respiratory tract. However, they can cause diseases such as otitis media, meningitis, pneumonia, and epiglottitis when they invade other parts of the body.
Treatment
Treatment for Haemophilus infections typically involves antibiotics such as amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, or azithromycin.
Prevention
Vaccination with the Hib vaccine is effective in preventing Haemophilus influenzae type b infections.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Haemophilus
- Wikipedia's article - Haemophilus
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