enterobacterium
/ˌɛnt(ə)rəʊˌbakˈtɪərɪəm/Microbiology and Medicine
noun
Originally: any of various bacilli found in faecal matter. In later use: any bacterium of the family Enterobacteriaceae, the members of which are straight Gram-negative rods which inhabit water, soil, decaying organic material, and plants as well as animals, and include important pathogens of both animals and plants.
- The human pathogens of this family most commonly cause diarrhoeal illness and enteric fevers; they include Salmonella and Shigella species, certain strains of E. coli, and various others..
Origin
1920s. From entero- + bacterium, perhaps after French entérobacterie. In later use perhaps after scientific Latin Enterobacterium, subgenus name or Enterobacteriaceae, family name.