Anaerococcus is a genus of bacteria. Its type species is Anaerococcus prevotii.[1] These bacteria are Gram-positive, anaerobic, indole-negative cocci.

 

Babies have Anaerococcus in the gut right after birth. These bacteria play roles in the digestion of complex carbohydrates. They also comprise part of our core skin microbiota, proliferating in places like the oily skin behind our ears and on and in the genitals of women and uncircumcised men.

 

Although all of us carry Anaerococci, occasionally if the balance of our microbial flora tips the wrong way, they can lurk in microbiomes of immunocompromised folks and become opportunistic pathogens. The vast majority of the time, however, these microbes are completely harmless. It is a pathogen of humans found in ovarian abscesses, chronic wounds and vaginal discharge. It can be present in urinary tract infections, chronic ulcers, pleural empyema, blood infections, and soft tissue infections. It is involved in polymicrobial infections.