What are coccobacilli?

Coccobacilli are a type of bacteria that are shaped like very short rods or ovals.

The name “coccobacilli” is a combination of the words “cocci” and “bacilli.” Cocci are sphere-shaped bacteria, while bacilli are rod-shaped bacteria. Bacteria that fall between these two shapes are called coccobacilli.

There are many species of coccobacilli, and some of them cause disease in humans. Keep reading to learn more about some of the most common coccobacilli infections.

The coccobacillus G. vaginalis can contribute to bacterial vaginosis in women, which happens when bacteria in the vagina are out of balance.

Symptoms include yellow or white vaginal discharge and a fishy-smelling vaginal odor. However, up to 75 percent of women don’t have any symptoms.

Pneumonia is a lung infection characterized by inflammation. One type of pneumonia is caused by the coccobacillus H. influenzae.

Symptoms of pneumonia caused by H. influenzae include fever, chills, sweating, coughing, trouble breathing, chest pain, and headache.

H. influenzae can also cause bacterial meningitis and infections of the bloodstream.

C. trachomatis is a coccobacillus that causes chlamydia, one of the most frequently reported sexually transmitted infections in the United States.

While it usually doesn’t cause symptoms in men, women might experience unusual vaginal discharge, bleeding, or painful urination.

If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to infertility in both men and women. It can also increase a woman’s risk for developing pelvic inflammatory disease.

Periodontitis is a gum infection that damages your gums and the bone that supports your teeth. Untreated periodontitis can cause loose teeth and even tooth loss.

A. actinomycetemcomitans is a coccobacillus that can cause aggressive periodontitis. Although considered normal flora of the mouth that can spread from person to person, it’s often found in young people with periodontitis.

Symptoms of periodontitis include swollen gums, red or purple gums, bleeding gums, bad breath, and pain when chewing.

A. actinomycetemcomitans can also cause urinary tract infections, endocarditis, and abscesses.

Whooping cough is a serious bacterial infection that’s caused by the coccobacillus B. pertussis.

Early symptoms include a low fever, runny nose, and cough. In infants, it can also cause apnea, which is a pause in breathing. Later symptoms often involve vomiting, exhaustion, and a distinctive cough with a high-pitched “whoop” sound.

Plague is caused by the coccobacillus Y. pestis.

Historically, Y. pestis caused some of the most devastating outbreaks in history, including the “black plague” of the 14th century. While it’s rarer today, cased do still occur. According to the World Health Organization, there were more than 3,000 cases of plague reported between 2010 and 2015, causing 584 deaths.

Symptoms of plague can include a sudden fever, chills, headache, aches and pains throughout your body, a feeling of weakness, nausea, and vomiting.

Brucellosis is a disease caused by coccobacilli from the genus Brucella. It’s usually found in animals, such as sheep, cattle, and goats. However, humans can get it from eating or drinking unpasteurized dairy products.

The bacteria can also enter your body through cuts and scratches or through mucus membranes.

Symptoms of brucellosis include headache, feelings of weakness, fever, sweating, chills, and body aches.

Coccobacilli are responsible for many conditions that cause a variety of symptoms, so treatment often depends on the type of illness you have.

Antibiotics

The first step in treating coccobacilli-related infections is taking antibiotics. Your doctor will prescribe one that’s most likely to target the specific coccobacillus that’s causing your symptoms. Make sure you take the full course that’s prescribed by your doctor, even if you start to feel better before finishing it.

Vaccines

Whooping cough and plague are both much less common today than they used to be, thanks to vaccines against B. pertussis and Y. pestis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all babies, children, preteens, teenagers, and pregnant women be vaccinated against whooping cough.

The H. influenzae vaccine only protects against diseases caused by H. influenzae type b. However, today fewer than 50 cases of H. influenzae type b disease occur annually in younger children in the United States compared to 1,000 deaths each year prior to introduction of the vaccine.

The World Health Organization recommends getting vaccinated against Y. pestis only if you have a high risk of coming into contact with it. For example, people who work in laboratories have a higher risk of encountering more rare types of bacteria.

While coccobacilli bacteria don’t always cause illness, they’re responsible for some human diseases, ranging from mild to severe. If you’re diagnosed with a coccobacilli infection, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to kill off the bacteria.