Rhodococcus

A genus of rod-shaped, Gram-positive, partially acid-fast, aerobic bacteria found in soil and in the feces of herbivores. Some species are pathogenic for animals and humans. The type species is R. rhodochrous.

- R. equi a bacterial species causing bronchopneumonia and the formation of abscesses in the lungs of foals. It can cause bronchopneumonia in immunodeficient humans, especially those with AIDS. SYN: Corynebacterium equi.

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Rho·do·coc·cus (ro″do-kokґəs) [rhodo- + coccus] a genus of bacteria of the family Nocardiaceae, consisting of nonmotile, gram-positive, aerobic, chemo-organotrophic organisms that form a mycelium that breaks up into bacillary and coccal forms. They are widely distributed, occurring especially in soil and the manure of herbivores; some species are pathogenic.