diphtheroids

/ˈdɪfθəˌrɔɪdz/
noun
  1. Plural of diphtheroid; bacteria that resemble the diphtheria bacillus but do not cause diphtheria.
    • The doctor explained that diphtheroids rarely cause infections in healthy people.
    • Diphtheroids are commonly found on the skin and in the environment.
    • The lab identified several diphtheroids in the sample, none of which were dangerous.