Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Proteus infection historical perspective
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Proteus infections were first described by Gustav Hauster, a German pathologist, in 1885. Hauster coined the term Proteus based on the organism’s ability to change shape from Homer’s Greek tale, the Odyssey.
Historical Perspective
Historical Perspective
- Proteus infections were first described by Gustav Hauster, a German pathologist, in 1885.
- Hauster coined the term Proteus based on the organism’s ability to change shape from Homer’s Greek tale, the Odyssey. Proteus refers to the “sea god” or “Poseidon’s herdsman of the seals”.[1]
- Hauser also coined the terms P. vulgaris (i.e. the usual) and P. mirabilis (i.e. the marvelous or the unusual).
References
References
- ↑ Sellaturay SV, Nair R, Dickinson IK, Sriprasad S (2012). “Proteus: Mythology to modern times”. Indian J Urol. 28 (4): 388–91. doi:10.4103/0970-1591.105748. PMC 3579116. PMID 23450503.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yazan Daaboul, M.D.