Rhodococcus

Rhodococcus is a genus of bacteria, which includes about 37 species. These are Gram-positive bacteria, that can be rod-shaped or cocci-shaped. Most rhodococci occur in animals and are rarely transmitted to humans.

They are an important pathogen, especially for patients with advanced AIDS. The main representative is Rhodococcus equi, which often occurs in horses. It can be the cause of pneumonia in immunosuppressed individuals. The virulence factor is its capsule and the enzyme cholesterol oxidase, which lyses cell membranes.

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