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Volume 32, Number 6—June 2026
Etymologia
Bacteria [bak-tēr′-ē-ә]
Suggested citation for this article
A bacterium is a unicellular prokaryotic microorganism, and bacteria is the plural form that refers to these organisms as a group, historically classified within the former Monera kingdom. The term bacteria derives from Greek baktērion (βακτήριον), meaning small staff or cane, describing rod-like forms observed in early microscopic studies. Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg introduced the term bacterium in 1838, before modern bacteriology, and bacteria later became the plural form. Once viewed as microscopic plants, bacteria were later recognized as a distinct group of prokaryotic life and are now essential in ecologic processes, biotechnology, and public health, as beneficial or pathogenic agents.
References
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100815 . DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar - Osorio C. About the origin of the term bacteria: a semantic paradox [in Spanish]. Rev Chilena Infectol. 2017;34:265–9. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
- Santos-Beneit F. What is the role of microbial biotechnology and genetic engineering in medicine? MicrobiologyOpen. 2024;13:
e1406 . DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar - Shɨshkin-Skarð Y. When and how did the names bacteria and eubacteria originate: resurrected facts. Microbiol Res. 2024;283:
127676 . DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar - Soni J, Sinha S, Pandey R. Understanding bacterial pathogenicity: a closer look at the journey of harmful microbes. Front Microbiol. 2024;15:
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Suggested citation for this article: Santos-Dutra HCO, da Costa CCP, Nery Maciel D, Santos RS, Barbosa MS. Bacteria. Emerg Infect Dis. 2026 Jun [date cited]. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3206.251514
Original Publication Date: May 15, 2026
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Table of Contents – Volume 32, Number 6—June 2026
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Please use the form below to submit correspondence to the authors or contact them at the following address:
Mônica Santiago Barbosa, Biosciences and Biotechnology, Setor Leste Universitário, Federal University of Goiás, Rua 235 S/N, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil
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