Annals of Laboratory Medicine  2017;37(3):272-276

doi:10.3343/alm.2017.37.3.272

Laboratory Identification of Leptotrichia Species Isolated From Bacteremia Patients at a Single Institution.

Eun Hye CHO 1 ; Kyung Sun PARK ; Mina YANG ; Dong Joon SONG ; Hee Jae HUH ; Chang Seok KI ; Nam Yong LEE

Affiliations

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Keywords

Leptotrichia; Bacteremia; Identification; MALDI-TOF MS; 16S ribosomal RNA

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

We describe the laboratory identification of Leptotrichia species from clinical isolates collected over a six-year period. Five isolates from blood cultures were identified as Leptotrichia species. Gram stain showed large, fusiform, gram-negative or -variable bacilli. Identification based on biochemical testing was unsuccessful; however, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry proved to be a useful tool for identifying Leptotrichia species to the genus level. Species level identification was successfully achieved by using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.