DIFFERENTIATION OF FLUORESCENT PSEUDOMONADS BY THEIR EFFECT ON MILK AGAR

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Abstract
Clinical isolates (86) of fluorescent pseudomonads that did not produce pyocyanin on diagnostic sensitivity test agar or cetrimide agar were identified on the basis of their antibiotic sensitivity, production of pigment on King''s "A" medium, growth at 42.degree. C, production of lecithinase and hydrolysis of gelatin. The identity of the strains was confirmed in tests with the ammonium salt sugars ethanol, glucose and mannitol. These tests were adequate for distinguishing between the 3 important fluorescent pseudomonads. The detection of casein hydrolysis on milk agar was assessed as a rapid method of distinguishing Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the other species of fluorescent pseudomonads but proved unhelpful when compared with, or included in, a small set of tests. Most strains of P. aeruginosa and P. fluorescens hydrolysed casein.