Porphyromonas

A genus of small anaerobic Gram-negative nonmotile cocci and usually short rods that produce smooth, gray to black pigmented colonies the size of which varies with the species. In humans, they are found as part of the normal flora in the oropharynx, including gingival crevices, and in the vaginal and intestinal tracts. The type species is P. asaccharolytica.

- P. asaccharolytica a species that rarely causes infections independently but is an important component of mixed infections associated with oral, genitourinary, and intra-abdominal abscesses, as well as in infectious associated with impaired circulation and diabetic gangrene.

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Por·phy·ro·mo·nas (por″fĭ-ro-moґnəs) [Gr. porphyra purple + monas unit, from monos single] a genus of gram-negative, obligately anaerobic, nonmotile, non–spore-forming, rod-shaped bacteria of the family Porphyromonadaceae that are normal inhabitants of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity; organisms have been isolated from oral infections. Included here are species formerly included in the genus Bacteroides. The type species is P. asaccharolyґtica.