Helcococcus pyogenes

**Semantic type:** Bacterium

**Definition:** A species of Gram positive, cocci shaped bacteria assigned to the phylum Firmicutes. This species is catalase and pyrase negative, nonsporulating, leucine aminopeptidase positive, does not hydrolyze esculin and may appear gram variable due to the ease at which it decolorizes during the gram stain. H. pyogenes is an emerging pathogen.

**Synonyms:** - HELCOCOCCUS PYOGENES