Streptomyces

A genus of nonmotile, aerobic, Gram-positive bacteria (family Streptomycetaceae) that grow in the form of a many-branched mycelium; conidia are produced in chains on aerial hyphae. These organisms (several hundred species in the genus) are predominantly saprophytic soil forms; some are parasitic on plants or animals; many produce antibiotics. The type species is S. albus. [strepto- + G. mykes, fungus]

- S. albus a bacterial species found in dust, soil, grains, and straw; some strains produce actinomycetin; others produce thiolutin or endomycin; it is the type species of the genus S..

- S. gibsonii a bacterial species found in human infections. SYN: Nocardia gibsonii.

- S. somaliensis a bacterial species that causes Bouffardi white mycetoma.

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strep·to·my·ces -'mī-.sēz n

1) cap the type genus of the family Streptomycetaceae comprising mostly soil actinomycetes including some that form antibiotics as by-products of their metabolism

2) pl streptomyces any bacterium of the genus Streptomyces

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n.

a genus of aerobic mouldlike bacteria. Most species live in the soil, but some are parasites of animals, humans, and plants; in humans they cause Madura foot. They are important medically as a source of such antibiotics as streptomycin, neomycin, dactinomycin, and chloramphenicol.

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Strep·to·my·ces (strep″to-miґsēz) [strepto- + Gr. mykēs fungus] a genus of bacteria of the family Streptomycetaceae, consisting of aerobic, gram-positive, non–acid-fast organisms that form a nonfragmented aerial mycelium. There are several hundred different species, usually soil forms but occasionally parasitic on plants or animals. Most species produce pigments. More than half of the antibiotics of practical value, including the aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and macrolides, are produced from species of Streptomyces. The type species is S. alґbus.