Pyogenic Bacteria

bacteria capable of causing local purulent inflammation or generalized infection (pyemia, sepsis). The so-called pyogenic cocci (many staphylococci, streptococci, and gonococci) and some other bacteria (the proteus, the pyocyanic, and anthrax groups, and sometimes even Bacillus coli) are pyogenic bacteria.

Pyogenic bacteria cause purulent inflammation of the mucous membranes of serous cavities (abdomen, pleura, pericardium) or in deep tissues (purulent infiltration, phlegmon). Localized suppuration may also be caused by such non-pyogenic microorganisms as Bacillus coli, the typhoid-fever bacillus, and the diphtheria bacillus.