Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, obligate anaerobe that obtains its metabolic energy from protein breakdown products, heme, and vitamin K for its growth. It is a pathobiont of the oral cavity that is distributed among the human population worldwide. In addition to being a causative agent of periodontitis, P. gingivalis is also implicated in a variety of systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.