klebsiella

[ kleb-zee-el-uh, klep-see- ]

/ ˌklɛb ziˈɛl ə, ˌklɛp si- /

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noun Bacteriology.

any of several rod-shaped, aerobic bacteria of the genus Klebsiella, certain species of which, as K. pneumoniae, are found in the respiratory, intestinal, and genitourinary tracts of humans and animals and are sometimes pathogenic.

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Origin of klebsiella

First recorded in 1925–30; from New Latin; named after E. Klebs; see -ella

Words nearby klebsiella

klavern, klaxon, kleagle, Kléber, Klebs, klebsiella, Klebs-Löffler bacillus, Klee, Kleenex, Klee, Paul, Kleiber

British Dictionary definitions for klebsiella

klebsiella

/ (ˌklɛbzɪˈɛlə) /

noun

a Gram-negative bacteria found in the respiratory, intestinal, and urinogenital tracts of humans and animals, which can cause pneumonia and urinary infections

Word Origin for klebsiella

C20: after Edwin Klebs (1834–913), German bacteriologist

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012