Relating to or caused by actinomycetes, a group of filamentous bacteria that can cause serious infections in humans and animals.
From actinomyces + -otic (adjective suffix meaning 'of or relating to'). The root actino- comes from Greek for 'ray,' referring to the bacteria's radiating filament appearance under magnification.
Despite being bacteria, actinomycetes look so much like fungi that scientists confused them for 150 years—they even grow in branching threads just like mold, making them nature's ultimate imposters.
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