Leptotrichia

A genus of anaerobic, nonmotile bacteria containing Gram-negative, straight or slightly curved rods, 5–15 μm in length, with one or both ends rounded, often pointed. Granules are distributed evenly along the long axis, and one or more large granules may localize near the end of the cell. Branched or clubbed forms do not occur. Two or more cells join together and form septate filaments of varying length; in older cultures, filaments up to 200 μm may form and twist around each other; large, coccoid bodies may be found within a filament as a cell lyses. Carbon dioxide is essential for optimal growth. Lactic acid is produced from glucose. These organisms occur in the oral cavity of humans. The type species is L. buccalis. [lepto- + G. thrix, hair]

- L. buccalis a bacterial species found in the human mouth rarely found in the blood of immunocompromised patients; it is the type species of the genus L..

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Lep·to·trich·ia .lep-tə-'trik-ē-ə n a genus of long filamentous gram-negative anaerobic rod bacteria of the family Bacteroidaceae that are sometimes placed in the genus Leptothrix

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Lep·to·trich·ia (lep″to-trikґe-ə) [lepto- + Gr. thrix, gen. trichos hair] a genus of gram-negative, anaerobic bacteria of the family Fusobacteriaceae, found in the human oral cavity, consisting of straight or slightly curved, nonmotile rods with one or both ends rounded or pointed, arranged frequently in pairs or long filaments.