One of the common microbes that can lead to widespread dissemination of septic emboli is Fusobacterium necrophorum, a Gram negative anaerobic bacillus.
F. necrophorum and F. nucleatum are the most important among the non-spore forming anaerobic bacilli in causing human infections.
[citation needed] Septic emboli most often originate from extrapulmonary locations which have been infected for a period of time.
The infected site, combined with various coagulants that may be generated by the bacteria or the body, may then break off and enter the circulatory system, potentially causing a clot.
[citation needed] A septic embolism can be difficult to identify, as it is often attributed to other disorders or infections of the body.