[2] The name Peptoniphilus derives from:Neo-Latin noun peptonum, peptone; Neo-Latin adjective philus from Greek adjective philos (φίλος) meaning friend, loving; Neo-Latin masculine gender noun Peptoniphilus, friend of peptone, referring to the use of peptone as a major energy source.

[3] Peptoniphilus are gram positive anaerobic cocci that were formerly classified in the genus Peptostreptococcus.

[4] They are non-saccharolytic, use peptone as a major energy source and produce butyrate.

[6] They are typically found as part of polymicrobial infections but are difficult to recover with usual clinical cultures.

[4] They are noted to be linked with an impairment of wound-healing in patients with diabetic foot ulcers if present in abundance during the initial infection.