Leptotrichiaceae is a family of bacteria in the order Fusobacteriales. The family includes several genera, such as Leptotrichia, Streptobacillus, Sneathia, Caviibacter, Oceanivirga, Sebaldella, Pseudoleptotrichia, and Pseudostreptobacillus. Bacteria in this family are gram-negative, typically anaerobic, and inhabit diverse environments, including the mucous membranes of humans and animals, as well as ocean sediments. While some species are part of the normal microbial flora, others can act as opportunistic pathogens, causing infections in immunocompromised individuals.
Members of Leptotrichiaceae are gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that are non-motile and non-spore-forming. They are predominantly anaerobic or facultatively anaerobic, thriving in low-oxygen environments, and exhibit fermentative metabolism, producing organic acids from carbohydrates. Many species are fastidious, requiring enriched media such as blood or serum for growth. These bacteria are commonly isolated from the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and urogenital system of mammals, as well as from marine habitats.
The family Leptotrichiaceae encompasses the following genera:
The currently accepted taxonomy is based on the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LSPN) and National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).