History
Leptotrichia was among the first microorganisms described and probably recognized by van Leeuwenhoek already in 1683.

Taxonomy
Family: Leptotrichiaceae

Natural habitats
Leptotrichia colonize the oral cavity and genitourinary tract.
These anaerobic bacteria belong to the normal flora of humans and are seldom found in the clinically significant specimens.

Clinical significance
On rare occasions, Leptotrichia has been isolated from blood cultures of patients with lesions in the oral mucosa, in particular from patients with neutropenia.

These organisms should be considered potential pathogens in neutropenic patients, especially when breaks in the mucosal barriers are present through which they frequently spread to the bloodstream.