Obligately anaerobic, catalase-negative, Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming rods. Nonmotile. Nonfermentative. In peptone-yeast extract-glucose broth a moderate amount of acetate and isovalerate, and traces of lactate, succinate, isobutyrate and butyrate are produced. Major cellular fatty acids when grown in peptone-yeast extract-glucose broth include an unidentified compound with an equivalent chain-length of 9.740, C14:0 and C16:0 fatty acids. Johnsonella is associated with gingivitis and periodontitis in human gingival crevice and periodontal pockets.
Microbial Abundance Data: Johnsonella (Percent of total population with standard deviation [PMID: 22698087])