title: Serious infection with Leptotrichia buccalis. Report of a case and review of the literature.
abstract: Leptotrichia buccalis is an obligately anaerobic, gram-negative rod classified as a member of the family Bacteroidaceae. Organisms found in this family (Bacteroides and Fusobacteria) are frequent causes of severe infection in human beings. L. buccalis is a constituent of normal oral flora. Leptotrichia has rarely been recovered from mixed infections primarily of the head and neck. It has not previously been reported as a cause of serious infection in man. We report a case of cavitary pneumonia and septicemia caused by L. buccalis. The colonial morphology and gram stain of L. buccalis are characteristic. Definitive identification is made by gas-liquid chromatography. Leptotrichia have been shown to contain potent endotoxin. L. buccalis has the potential to be a virulent, pathogenic microorganism, especially in the compromised host.
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D001438:Bacteroidaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D046508:Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D011859:Radiography; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D010400:Penicillin G