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1. Is cystine trypticase agar (CTA) carbohydrate test the recommended method for
detecting the capacity of Neisserial species to produce acid? Why or why not?
 CTA can quantitively detect the capacity of Neisserial species to produce acid.
When the carbohydrate present in the medium is metabolized by the bacteria into
organic acids, the pH indicator phenol red turns from pinkish-red to yellow due to
the decrease in pH. This indicates that the bacteria sample indeed produce acid.

2. Which species of Neisseria is typically DNase positive?

 Moraxella catarrhalis, previously known as Neisseria catarrhalis, is the only
member of this group of organisms (gram-negative cocci) that tests positive for
DNase test which differentiates it from other Neisseria species. This test is
conducted on a DNase test agar made of DNA–methyl green complex. When a
DNase (enzyme that digests DNA) is present on an organism such as Moraxella
catarrhalis, the area around the streak of bacteria will become colorless.

3. What specie/s should be tested for β - lactamase activity? Support your answer.
 Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Moraxella catarrhalis (formerly Branhamella
catarrhalis, Neisseria catarrhalis) are the ones that should be tested for β -
lactamase activity. This is due to the fact that these bacterial species displayed
resistance to various beta-lactam antibiotics and are known to be beta-lactamase
producers.

Beta-lactamase tests are employed to detect the enzyme beta-lactamase, which

confers penicillin resistance to various bacterial organisms. Beta lactamase are
enzymes produced by many clinically significant bacteria and are major mediators
of bacterial resistance to beta- lactam agents. Routine beta-lactamase tests are
based on visual detection of the end products of beta-lactamase hydrolysis which
is demostrated on a colometric reaction time. These tests primarily include
iodometric method, acidometric method, and chromogenic substrates. Both
Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Moraxella catarrhalis are differentiated from other
beta-lactamase positive species by comparing the colometric reaction time in the
test. Other species have longer reaction time while these two have the shortest at
1 minute.
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REFERENCES:

Aryal, S. (2020, January 01). Beta (β)-Lactamase Test- Objectives, Principle, Procedure and
Results: Biochemical Test. Retrieved July 23, 2020, from
https://microbenotes.com/beta-%CE%B2-lactamase-test-objectives-principle-procedure-a
nd-results/

Bailey, W. R., & Tille, P. M. (2017). Bailey & Scott's diagnostic microbiology (14th ed.). St. Louis,
Missouri: Elsevier.

Brown, A., & Smith, H. (2015). Benson’s Microbiological Applications.

Garcia, L. S. (2010). Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook, 3rd Edition.

doi:10.1128/9781555817435