Spirillum (spi-ril'lum)

A genus of the family Spirillaceae, of the Bacteria, consisting of spirally curved or corkscrew forms, which are actively motile. Many species have been isolated and a few are pathogenic for man. S. bucca'le. A species derived asiaticae. from the tartar of teeth. S. cholerae Syn.: comma bacillus. The comma bacillus, regarded as the causal agent of Asiatic cholera. It is found in the dejecta and intestinal contents. The bacilli are usually minute and curved like a comma. S. Deneke. A s. isolated from butter. S. Finkler-Prior. A species obtained by Finkler and Prior from the dejecta of patients with cholera nostras. The bacilli 770 are somewhat thicker and longer than the cholera bacilli. S. ma ana. A s. isolated from a clinically doubtful case of true cholera. S. Metchnikovi. A s. causing, diarrhea in domestic fowls. S. Obermei'eri. Flexible, colorle threads found in the blood of patients with relapsing fever. S. of hospital gangrene. A species found in the membranous covering of the ulcers of hospital gangrene. S. tyrogenum. A species obtained by Deneke from very old cheese, resembling, but smaller than that of Asiatic cholera. [Lat., spirillum, a coil.]