The genus Anaerococcus is one of six genera classified within the group GPAC (Gram-Positive Anaerobic Cocci).
[8] Most of the species in this genus can be found among microbes of the skin, human vagina, nasal cavity, oral cavity and feces, often as a pathogen found in ovarian abscesses, chronic wounds and vaginal discharge.
[10] Strains of Anaerococcus were found in the armpit microbiota suggesting some species in this genus could play a role in axillary odor.
The most common arrangements within this genus are pairs, tetrads, short chains and irregular formations.
[10] In general, the species of Anaerococcus presents susceptibility to penicillins but are resistant to tetracycline, erythromycin and clindamycin.
[12][4] After fermenting the sugars, Anaerococcus produce weak acids as their metabolic end product.
[9] Other studies have found A. octavius as part of the nasal, skin and vaginal normal flora.
[9][6] Anaerococcus prevotii is part of the normal flora in the skin, oral cavity and the gut.
[6] Studies has shown Anaerococcus prevotii presents resistance to Ceftazidime, Clindamycin, Levofloxacin.
[15] A. vaginalis was first recovered from vaginal discharges and ovarian abscesses although this bacteria can also be found in pressure ulcers and diabetic foot.
[16] The first analysis made on Anaerococcus provencensis showed it is susceptible to penicillin G, imipenem, amoxillin, metronidazole, cefotetan and vancomycin.
[2] A. rubiinfantis was discovered from a stool sample taken from an infant with severe acute malnutrition in Senegal.
[14] Moreover, A. marasmi has a high 16S rRNA sequence similarity (97.6%) with A. prevotii [14] A. urinomassiliensis was isolated from a urine sample of a male adolescent with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and autoimmune hepatitis.