- diphtheroid
- 1. One of a group of local infections suggesting diphtheria, but caused by microorganisms other than Corynebacterium diphtheriae. SYN: Epstein disease, false diphtheria, pseudodiphtheria. 2. Any microorganism resembling Corynebacterium diphtheriae. [diphtheria + G. eidos, resemblance]
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diph·the·roid 'dif-thə-.rȯid adj resembling diphtheriadiphtheroid n a bacterium (esp. genus Corynebacterium) that resembles the bacterium of diphtheria but does not produce diphtheria toxin* * *
adj.resembling diphtheria (especially the membrane formed in diphtheria) or the bacteria that cause it.* * *
diph·the·roid (difґthə-roid) 1. resembling diphtheria. 2. a bacterium resembling Corynebacterium diphtheriae but not causing diphtheria, such as one of the other species in the genus. 3. pseudodiphtheria.
Medical dictionary. 2011.