Flow chart to identify bacteria

Mac Conkey agar Specimen Blood agar

Note positive or negative growth Observe colony appearance

Observe colony appearance Observe haemolysis
Note lactose positive or negative Gram stain
Use for further inoculation,if necessary Re incubate if no growth
Re incubate if no growth

Gram + cocci Small gram + bacilli Large gram + bacilli Gram bacilli

Catalase Bacillus sp.

Positive Negative

Coagulase Streptococcus sp. Catalase

Positive Negative Positive Negative

Staphylococcus Staphylococcus Corynebacterium sp. Erysipelothrix

aureus epidermidis Listeria sp. Corynebacterium pyogenes
 Flow chart to identify bacteria

Gram negative bacilli

Positive Oxidase Negative

Pasteurella sp. Enterobacteriaceae

Haemophilus sp.
Bordetella sp. (TSI,urea, Citrate tests-
Actinobacillus sp. Interpret results and consult
Pseudomonas sp. Reference charts)
Aeromonas sp.
Moraxella sp.

(TSI,urea, Citrate tests,

Litmus milk sugar tests
Interpret results and
consult reference charts)