staphylotoxin

Term: staphylotoxin (n)

Literally meaning:  “poison of grapes”

Origin: Anc Greek

staphylo-xanthin

(σταφυλο-)/staphylo-)(=combining form denoting grape shape or a bunch of grapes)

τοξικόν/toxikon(= poison used to poison arrow heads)

 > τόξον/toxon(bow)

Coined/History

The name derived from the ability of some strains of the bacterium  Staphylococcus  to produce it.

Definition

Staphylotoxin is the the toxin which is produced by strains of Staphylococcus aureus.