micrococcus

A vernacular term used to refer to any member of the genus M..

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mi·cro·coc·cus .mī-krō-'käk-əs n

1) cap a large genus (the type genus of the family Micrococcaceae) of nonmotile gram-positive spherical bacteria that occur in tetrads or irregular clusters and include nonpathogenic forms found on human and animal skin

2) pl -coc·ci -'käk-.(s)ī a small spherical bacterium esp any bacterium of the genus Micrococcus

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n.

a genus of spherical Gram-positive bacteria occurring in colonies. They are saprophytes or parasites. The species M. tetragenus (formerly Gaffkya tetragena) is normally a harmless parasite in humans but it can become pathogenic, causing arthritis, endocarditis, meningitis, or abscesses in tissues. It occurs in groups of four.

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Mi·cro·coc·cus (mi″kro-kokґəs) [micro- + Gr. kokkos berry] a genus of bacteria of the family Micrococcaceae, consisting of spherical, gram-positive, aerobic cells, usually occurring in irregular masses. Saprophytic and nonpathogenic forms are found in soil, water, dust, and dairy products; it is an uncommon cause of infective endocarditis. The type species is M. luґteus.