"Sphaerophorus" Prévot 1938 non Persoon 1794 non Gray 1864 non Waltl 1835
Fusobacterium is a genus of obligate anaerobic, Gram-negative,[2] non-sporeforming bacteria[3] belonging to Gracilicutes. Individual cells are slender, rod-shaped bacilli with pointed ends.[4][5]Fusobacterium was discovered in 1900 by Courmont and Cade and is common in the flora of humans.[6][7]
It has been tied[clarification needed] to HIV infection and suboptimal immune recovery.[10] Detection of Fusobacterium is typically through surgical retrieval of tissue, fecal tests, or blood tests in patients showing symptoms.[2] Early detection is preferred and helps to prevent further disease progression.[6]
Although older sources state that Fusobacterium is part of the normal flora of the human oropharynx, the current consensus is that Fusobacterium should always be treated as a pathogen.[11] There are thirteen described Fusobacterium strains; the predominant one affecting humans is F. nucleatum,[12] followed by F. necrophorum, which also affects animals, mainly cattle.[13]