histolyticum

Histolyticum is not the name of a single organism, but a taxonomic epithet that has appeared in the scientific names of various microorganisms. The term is derived from Latin roots meaning tissue-destroying or tissue-lysing, and it was historically applied to organisms noted for tissue-damaging activity in infections or culture.

In taxonomy, histolyticum has been used in binomial names across different genera. Over time, as taxonomic methods evolved—especially with molecular phylogenetics—many species bearing the epithet histolyticum have been reclassified or merged into other taxa. Today, the epithet is best understood as part of older or historical nomenclature rather than as a current, independently valid taxon.

Current practice emphasizes verification of the accepted name in up-to-date nomenclature databases, such as the List of Prokaryotic Names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN) or NCBI Taxonomy. Readers encountering histolyticum in literature should consult these resources to determine the valid, contemporary designation for a given organism, since the epithet may persist in historical records as a synonym or description rather than as an active species name.

The broader concept associated with histolyticum is the description of tissue-destructive properties observed in certain microbes, including virulence factors that contribute to tissue damage. As with other historical epithets, its usage reflects past observational emphasis rather than a definitive current taxonomic status.