What are coccobacilli?

Coccobacilli are a type of bacteria that are shaped like very short rods or ovals.

The name “coccobacilli” is a combination of the words “cocci” and “bacilli.” Cocci are sphere-shaped bacteria, while bacilli are rod-shaped bacteria. Bacteria that fall between these two shapes are called coccobacilli.

There are many species of coccobacilli, and some of them cause disease in humans. Keep reading to learn more about some of the most common coccobacilli infections.

The coccobacillusG. vaginaliscan contribute tobacterial vaginosisin women, which happens when bacteria in the vagina are out of balance.

Symptoms include yellow or white vaginal discharge and a fishy-smelling vaginal odor. However, up to75 percentof women don’t have any symptoms.

Pneumonia is a lung infection characterized by inflammation. One type of pneumonia is caused by the coccobacillusH. influenzae.

Symptoms of pneumonia caused byH. influenzaeinclude fever, chills, sweating, coughing, trouble breathing, chest pain, and headache.

H. influenzaecan also causebacterial meningitisandinfections of the bloodstream.

C. trachomatisis a coccobacillus that causeschlamydia, one of the mostfrequently reportedsexually transmitted infections in the United States.

While it usually doesn’t cause symptoms in men, women might experience unusual vaginal discharge, bleeding, or painful urination.

If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to infertility in both men and women. It can also increase a woman’s risk for developing pelvic inflammatory disease.

Periodontitisis a gum infection that damages your gums and the bone that supports your teeth. Untreated periodontitis can cause loose teeth and even tooth loss.

A. actinomycetemcomitansis a coccobacillus that can cause aggressive periodontitis. Although considered normal flora of the mouth that can spread from person to person, it’s often found in young people with periodontitis.

Symptoms of periodontitis include swollen gums, red or purple gums, bleeding gums, bad breath, and pain when chewing.

A. actinomycetemcomitanscan also causeurinary tract infections,endocarditis, and abscesses.

Whooping coughis a serious bacterial infection that’s caused by the coccobacillusB. pertussis.

Early symptoms include a low fever, runny nose, and cough. In infants, it can also cause apnea, which is a pause in breathing. Later symptoms often involvevomiting, exhaustion, and a distinctive cough with a high-pitched “whoop” sound.

Plagueis caused by the coccobacillusY. pestis.

Historically,Y. pestiscaused some of the most devastating outbreaks in history, including the “black plague” of the 14th century. While it’s rarer today, cased do still occur. According to the World Health Organization , there were more than 3,000 cases of plague reported between 2010 and 2015, causing 584 deaths.

Symptoms of plague can include a sudden fever, chills, headache, aches and pains throughout your body, a feeling of weakness,nausea, and vomiting.

Brucellosisis a disease caused by coccobacilli from the genusBrucella. It’s usually found in animals, such as sheep, cattle, and goats. However, humans can get it from eating or drinking unpasteurized dairy products.

The bacteria can also enter your body through cuts and scratches or through mucus membranes.

Symptoms of brucellosis includeheadache, feelings of weakness, fever, sweating, chills, and body aches.

Coccobacilli are responsible for many conditions that cause a variety of symptoms, so treatment often depends on the type of illness you have.

Antibiotics

The first step in treating coccobacilli-related infections is taking antibiotics. Your doctor will prescribe one that’s most likely to target the specific coccobacillus that’s causing your symptoms. Make sure you take the full course that’s prescribed by your doctor, even if you start to feel better before finishing it.

Vaccines

Whooping cough and plague are both much less common today than they used to be, thanks to vaccines againstB. pertussisandY. pestis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all babies, children, preteens, teenagers, and pregnant women be vaccinated against whooping cough.

TheH. influenzaevaccine only protects against diseases caused byH. influenzaetype b. However, today fewer than 50 cases ofH. influenzaetype b disease occur annually in younger children in the United States compared to 1,000 deaths each year prior to introduction of the vaccine.

The World Health Organization recommends getting vaccinated againstY. pestisonly if you have a high risk of coming into contact with it. For example, people who work in laboratories have a higher risk of encountering more rare types of bacteria.

而coccobacilli细菌并不总是导致生病ness, they’re responsible for some human diseases, ranging from mild to severe. If you’re diagnosed with a coccobacilli infection, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to kill off the bacteria.