Propionibacterium propionicum

**Semantic type:** Bacterium

**Definition:** A species of anaerobic, Gram-positive, rod shaped bacteria assigned to the phylum Actinobacteria. This species is non-spore forming, catalase, indole, and urease negative, reduces nitrate, but does not hydrolyze esculin. P. propionicum is part of the normal human oral cavity flora, but can cause canaliculitis and dacryocystitis as well as many other infections.

**Synonyms:** - Actinomyces propionicus - Actinomyces propionicus - PROPIONIBACTERIUM PROPIONICUM