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Medical Term:


Pronunciation: ār-ō-kok′ŭs

Definition: A genus of aerobic gram-positive cocci occurring as airborne saprophytes; they produce α-hemolysis on blood agar and grow in the presence of 40% bile. Aerococcus viridans, the type species, is commonly recovered as part of the normal skin flora; it has low pathogenicity but has been reported as a rare cause of endocarditis.

[aero- + G. kokkos, berry]
