Main Entry: Ea·ton agent

Pronunciation: \ˈēt-^ən-\

Function: noun

: a microorganism of the genus Mycoplasma (M. pneumoniae) that is the causative agent of primary atypical pneumonia

Eaton, Monroe Davis (born 1904), American microbiologist. Eaton worked on the isolation of the causative agent of primary atypical pneumonia; the agent is now known as the Eaton agent. He also did research on bacterial toxins, purification of diphtheria toxin, development of influenza vaccination, the immunology of malaria, the biochemistry of virus growth, and the action of viruses on cancer cells.