diphtheroid

[dif-thuh-roid, dip-]

adjective Pathology.

resembling diphtheria, especially in the formation of a false membrane in the throat.

noun

any bacterium, especially of the genus Corynebacterium, that resembles the diphtheria bacillus but does not produce diphtheria toxin.

Origin of diphtheroid

First recorded in 1860–65; diphther(ia) + -oid

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

diphtheroids in Medicine

diphtheroid

[dĭf′thə-roid′]

n.

A local infection that resembles diphtheria, especially in the formation of a false membrane, but that is caused by a microorganism other than Corynebacterium diphtheriae.pseudodiphtheria
Any of various microorganisms resembling Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Related formsdiph′the•roid′ adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.