haemophilus

noun

hae·​moph·​i·​lus hē-ˈmä-fə-ləs 

plural haemophili hē-ˈmä-fə-lē 

: any of a genus (Haemophilus) of nonmotile, gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that include several important pathogens (such as Haemophilus influenzae associated with meningitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, and otitis media)

Note: Haemophili are parasitic on the mucous membranes of humans and other, mainly warm-blooded animals. They prefer aerobic conditions but are also capable of living under anaerobic conditions.

see hib

Examples of haemophilus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Overall coverage for the primary childhood vaccine series in Michigan, which includes vaccines that prevent measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, haemophilus influenzae, hepatitis, polio, chickenpox and pneumonia, fell to 68.5% in the first quarter of 2022. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 9 Aug. 2022

Shots for rotavirus, pneumococcal infections, haemophilus influenzae type B, bacterial meningitis and hepatitis B declined by 5% to 10%, with human papillomavirus vaccines down by 4%. —Erin Alberty, The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Nov. 2021

Mandatory immunizations include measles, mumps and rubella; diphtheria; pertussis (whooping cough); tetanus; poliomyelitis; and haemophilus influenzae type B, an infection that can lead to bacterial meningitis. —Jenna Carlesso, courant.com, 30 Mar. 2021

Mandatory childhood immunizations include measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, poliomyelitis, and haemophilus influenzae type B, an infection that can lead to bacterial meningitis. —Jenna Carlesso, courant.com, 15 Dec. 2020

The reports involve different regions of the state and different diseases, including pertussis (whooping cough), influenza, haemophilus influenzae infection, Legionnaire’s disease and pneumonia caused by rhinovirus or human metapneumovirus. —USA TODAY, 22 July 2019

The cause was haemophilus influenzae sepsis, said his wife, Rosilyn Alter. —Washington Post, 27 Jan. 2018

Some the bacteria identified in the study include staphylococcus, corynebacterium, haemophilus and neisseria. —Don Sweeney, miamiherald, 4 Aug. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

haemophilus

noun

hae·​moph·​i·​lus hē-ˈmäf-ə-ləs 

1

capitalized : a genus of nonmotile, gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria of the family Pasteurellaceae that include several important pathogens (as H. influenzae associated with meningitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, and otitis media and H. ducreyi of chancroid)

2

plural haemophili -lē  : any bacterium of the genus Haemophilus

Note: Bacteria of the genus Haemophilus are parasitic on the mucous membranes of humans and other, mainly warm-blooded animals. They prefer aerobic conditions but are also capable of living under anaerobic conditions.

see hib