[1] H. cinaedi is a curved, spiral (i.e. S-shaped), or fusiform (i.e. spindle-shaped) rod with flagellum at both of its ends (i.e. bipolar flagella)[2] which it uses to dart around.

[4] In any event, even the severest cases of H. cinaedi infections, especially those occurring in immunocompetent individuals who acquire the bacterium in a community setting, have been successfully treated with antibiotics.

[2][4] These studies allow a possibility that H. cinaedi may be, at least in some cases, transmitted between humans either directly (e.g. through oral contact)[5] or indirectly (e.g. through contaminated surfaces, clothing, bedding, or other objects).

[5] These infections have tended to occur in persons who are immunocompromised due to HIV/AIDS, X-linked agammaglobulinemia,[11] common variable immunodeficiency, various malignancies (e.g. lung cancer, multiple myeloma, leukemia, lymphoma,[5] or the myelodysplastic syndrome[10]), chemotherapy treatments, or splenectomy.

[8] H. cinaedi infection has also occurred in persons whose immune function may be defective as a result of, or in association with, chronic renal failure or autoimmune diseases (i.e. systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis).

[5] The diagnosis of H. cinaedei infection is made difficult by the fastidiousness of this organism; in culture, it grows very slowly and requires high humidity and microaerobic conditions.

[6] The prognosis of patients with H. cinaedi infections is generally good, with many symptoms showing improvements within 2–3 days of starting antibiotics.

[2] Conventional antibiotic regimens used to treat H. cinaedi bacteremia in immune-incompetent individuals is reported to have a mortality rate after 30 days of treatment of 6.3%.