This small, straight Gram negative rod is motile by peritrichous flagella. Some strains produce gas from glucose. It is distinguished from other biogroups by its fermentation of sucrose and raffinose, and by the presence of ornithine decarboxylase. Growth is at 35-37 C. It is sometimes found in clinical specimens, with the typical patient having predisposing conditions such as alcoholism, diabetes, and cancer where it is isolated from sputum, blood, and urine.