Chapter 17 Bacteroides, Tannerella, Porphyromonas and Prevotella
The genera described in this chapter are obligately anaerobic, short Gram-negative rods or coccobacilli. Historically, only the Bacteroides genus was known, but the application of new taxonomic techniques has resulted in the definition of three additional genera: Tannerella, Porphyromonas and Prevotella. Together they comprise a substantial proportion of the microflora of the dental plaque, intestine and the female genital tract (Table 17.1):
Table 17.1 Anaerobic Gram-negative bacilli of clinical interest
Organism | Main colonization sites |
---|---|
Bacteroides | |
B. fragilis group | Colon |
B. fragilis | |
B. ovatus | |
B. vulgatus | |
B. distasonis | |
B. capillosus | Colon, oropharynx |
B. ureolyticus | Oropharynx, intestine, genitourinary tract |
Tannerella | |
T. forsythia | Oropharynx |
Porphyromonas | |
P. gingivalis | Oropharynx |
P. endodontalis | Oropharynx |
Prevotella | |
P. intermedia | Oropharynx |
P. nigrescens | Oropharynx |
P. melaninogenica | Oropharynx |
P. loescheii | Oropharynx |
P. pallens | Vagina, oropharynx |
P. corporis | Vagina, oropharynx |
Collectively, Tannerella, Porphyromonas and Prevotella species are referred to as black-pigmented anaerobes, as some organisms from these genera form a characteristic brown or black pigment on blood agar (Fig. 17.1).

Fig. 17.1 Black-pigmented colonies of periodontopathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis on blood agar. The pigment is thought to be related to breakdown products of the blood.

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