Capnocytophaga ochracea

**Semantic type:** Bacterium

**Definition:** A species of facultatively anaerobic, Gram-negative, fusiform, filamentous bacilli assigned to the phylum Bacteroidetes. This species is motile, non-spore forming, oxidase, catalase, and indole negative, does not produce hydrogen sulfide and does not hydrolyze gelatin, or starch, but does hydrolyze esculin. C. ochracea is a member of the normal gingival flora but can become pathogenic causing sepsis especially in immunocompromised individuals.

**Synonyms:** - CAPNOCYTOPHAGA OCHRACEA