A New Test to Differentiate Serratia from Enterobacter

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Abstract
This investigation has demonstrated a new indigogenic method for detecting production of bacterial acid phosphatase. The principle of the reaction is that bacterial acid phosphatase hydrolyzes an indolyl substrate, with the formation of a highly insoluble blue-green indigo which is deposited on the bacterial growth. The test differentiates pathogenic from nonpathogenic Staphylococci by demonstrating that pathogenic Staphylococci produce acid phosphatase. Differentiaton of Serratia from the other members in the Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia group of organisms is difficult because of cultural similarities on blood and eosin methylene blue agar. Thus, a rapid test has been needed to differentiate Serratia from Enterobacter. Serratia produces the blue-green indigo color within 5 min., whereas Enterobacter produces the blue-green color in half an hour.

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