Peptostreptococcus , Finegoldia , Anaerococcus , Peptoniphilus , Parvimonas , Murdochiella , Veillonella , and Other Anaerobic Cocci ^*

Abstract

Gram‐positive anaerobic cocci (GPAC) belong to the Firmicutes phylum and have been known to most bacteriologists as peptococci or peptostreptococci. The genera Anaerococcus , Anaerosphaera , Fastidiophila , Finegoldia , Gallicola , Murdochiella , Parvimonas , Peptococcus , Peptoniphilus , and Peptostreptococcus are Gram‐positive, coccobacillary or occasionally coccoid cells. The genera Veillonella , Acidaminococcus, Megasphaera , Anaeroglobus , and Negativicoccus are Gram‐negative cocci. The polymicrobial nature of GPAC infections, in addition to inadequate classification, has most likely contributed to neglect the clinical significance of individual species of GPAC. A variety of microscopic, immunologic, and molecular techniques have been developed for direct examination of GPAC. New information regarding the antimicrobial susceptibilities of individual GPAC is increasing due to the improvement in classification and identification.