What does gram negative mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ɡræm ˈnɛɡətɪv/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Phrase

Definition

A phrase used to describe bacteria that have a particular type of cell wall, which stains pink or red when tested with Gram’s stain, indicating a type of bacterial infection.

Examples

• The doctor diagnosed the patient with a gram-negative infection.
• The lab results showed that the bacteria were gram-negative.

Synonyms

• Gram-negative bacteria
• Negative stain

Antonyms

• Gram-positive
• Positive stain

Additional Information

Gram-negative bacteria have a unique cell wall structure that makes them resistant to certain antibiotics. This type of bacteria can cause a range of infections, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and bloodstream infections.

Gram-negative bacteria are typically more difficult to treat than gram-positive bacteria, and often require specialized antibiotics. In some cases, gram-negative infections can be life-threatening if left untreated.

Etymology

The term “gram-negative” comes from the Danish bacteriologist Hans Christian Gram, who developed the Gram stain technique in the 1880s. The term “negative” refers to the fact that the bacteria do not retain the crystal violet stain used in the Gram stain technique.

Usage Notes

The term “gram-negative” is typically used in medical and scientific contexts to describe bacteria and their characteristics. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation.

Cultural References

Gram-negative bacteria have been featured in several medical dramas and documentaries, including the TV show “House M.D.” and the documentary “The Human Body”.

Related Words or Phrases

• Gram-positive
• Bacterial infection
• Antibiotic resistance

Collocations

• Gram-negative bacteria
• Gram-negative infection
• Gram-negative sepsis

Frequency of Use

The term “gram-negative” is relatively rare in everyday conversation, but is commonly used in medical and scientific contexts.

• Gram negitive
• Gram-negitive
• Gram negetive