klebsiella

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

/ ˌklɛb ziˈɛl ə, ˌklɛp si- /

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

< New Latin (1885), after E. Klebs; see -ella

Words nearby klebsiella

klavier, klaxon, kleagle, klebs, klebs-löffler bacillus, klebsiella, klebsiella pneumoniae, klee, klee, paul, kleenex, kleiber

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

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

Medical definitions for klebsiella

Klebsiella

[ klĕb′zē-ĕl′ə ]

n.

A genus of bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae containing nonmotile, gram-negative, frequently encapsulated rods that are arranged singly, in pairs, or in short chains. It includes some human pathogens.