''Coprococcus'' ( ATCC 27759) is a genus of anaerobic cocci which are all part of the human faecal flora, but rarely seen in human clinical specimens. "''Coprococcus includes those gram-positive, anaerobic cocci that actively ferment carbohydrates, producing butyric and acetic acids with formic or propionic and/or lactic acids. Fermentable carbohydrates are either required or are highly stimulatory for growth and continued subculture.''" - Lillian V. Holdeman & W. E. C. Moore. The genus is bio-chemically closely related to ''

Ruminococcus ''Ruminococcus'' is a genus of bacteria in the class Clostridia. They are anaerobic, Gram-positive gut microbes. One or more species in this genus are found in significant numbers in the human gut microbiota. The type species is ''R. flavefacien ...

'', and phylogenetically to the genus '' Lachnospira''. ''Coprococcus eutactus'' is an obligately anaerobic, nonmotile,

gram-positive In bacteriology, gram-positive bacteria are bacteria that give a positive result in the Gram stain test, which is traditionally used to quickly classify bacteria into two broad categories according to their type of cell wall. Gram-positive bac ...

coccus occurring in pairs or chains of pairs. Cells may lose colour readily and acquire a slightly elongate shape in a medium containing a fermentable carbohydrate, but are normally round, and 0.7 to 1.3

µm The micrometre ( international spelling as used by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures; SI symbol: μm) or micrometer (American spelling), also commonly known as a micron, is a unit of length in the International System of Uni ...

in diameter. ''Coprococcus'' may be used as a microbial biomarker to assess the health of the human gastro-intestinal tract. Gut microorganisms maintain gastro-intestinal health and the mounting evidence of gastro-intestinal problems in autistic children makes a link between

autism The autism spectrum, often referred to as just autism or in the context of a professional diagnosis autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC), is a neurodevelopmental condition (or conditions) characterized by difficulti ...

and intestinal microbiota highly probable, but the paucity of data on intestinal microflora means a definite link has not yet been demonstrated. Early studies overlooked potentially beneficial gut flora missing in autistic children. ''Coprococcus'', specifically ''Coprococcus eutactus'', may impact on the desire to exercise by augmenting dopamine activity during physical activity.

''Coprococcus'' species

*''C. catus'' Holdeman & Moore *''C. comes'' Holdeman & Moore

Etymology

'kopros' - excrement, faeces; 'kokkos' - berry; 'Coprococcus' - faecal coccus
'eutaktos' - orderly, well-disciplined (referring to the uniform reactions of the different strains)

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q3693218 Gut flora bacteria Lachnospiraceae Bacteria described in 1974