1. One of a group of local infections suggesting diphtheria, but caused by microorganisms other than Corynebacterium diphtheriae. SYN: Epstein disease, false diphtheria, pseudodiphtheria. 2. Any microorganism resembling Corynebacterium diphtheriae. [diphtheria + G. eidos, resemblance]
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diph·the·roid 'dif-thə-.rȯid adj resembling diphtheria
diphtheroid n a bacterium (esp. genus Corynebacterium) that resembles the bacterium of diphtheria but does not produce diphtheria toxin
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adj.
resembling diphtheria (especially the membrane formed in diphtheria) or the bacteria that cause it.
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diph·the·roid (difґthə-roid) 1. resembling diphtheria. 2. a bacterium resembling Corynebacterium diphtheriae but not causing diphtheria, such as one of the other species in the genus. 3. pseudodiphtheria.Medical dictionary. 2011.