Atopobium

An obligatorily anaerobic genus of Gram-positive, non–spore-bearing bacteria that appear as cocci and coccobacilli, sometimes in short chains. The type species is A. parvulus, a slow-growing organism forming tiny colonies on standard media formerly called Peptostreptococcus parvulus and Streptococcus parvulus.

* * *

Ato·po·bi·um (at″ə-poґbe-əm) [a-¹ + Gr. topos place + bios life] a genus of gram-positive bacteria of the family Coriobacteriaceae, consisting of anaerobic, non–spore-forming, lactic acid–producing cocci or coccobacilli that occur singly or in short chains. Organisms can be isolated from the gingival crevice and vagina and cause soft tissue infections. The type species is A. minuґtum.