TOPIC 10: BIOCHEMICAL TEST

1. Carbohydrate Fermentation Test

2. IMViC reaction
3. Catalase Test
4. Oxidase Test
5. Urease Test
6. Lysine Deacrboxylase test
7. Motility
8. Nitrate Reduction Test

TOPIC 11: STAPHYLOCOCCUS

Gram-positive cocci are common isolates in the clinical microbiology laboratory. The genus
Staphylococcus is a member of a diverse group of the family Micrococcaceae that are characterized as typical
catalase-positive, Gram-positive cocci that produce an array of extracellular and cell surface virulence factors.
Although most gram-positive cocci are members of the indigenous microbiota, some species are causative
agents of serious infectious disease of man and other mammals. This chapter discusses the most commonly
encountered staphylococci, their characteristics, the infections they produce, and their laboratory identification.
Antibiotic resistant strains of Staphylococci are also explained in the later part of this unit.

TOPIC 12: STREPTOCOCCUS

Sequencing studies of DNA homology and DNA have resulted in various taxonomic changes in the
Streptococcaceae family. The enterococci, formerly known as group D streptococci, were classified as
Enterococcus in their own genus. Likewise, lactococci, formerly categorized as a category N streptococcus, now
belongs to the GENUS Lactococcus. While conventional phenotypic characteristics such as hemolysis and
classification of the Lancefield (antigen serogrouping) are still useful in presumed identification, nucleic acid
studies have provided more details on the genetic relationships among the various phenotypes of
Streptococcaceae family members. This unit describes the role Streptococcus and Enterococcus spp. in human
disease, characteristics of the members in each genus, and how isolates are identified in the clinical
microbiology laboratory. This will also present a brief classification of the Streptococcaceae family.

GRAM-NEGATIVE COCCI
The Neisseriaceae family includes the genus Neisseria as well as Kingella, Eikenella, Simonsiella,
Alysiella and a number of other genera. Moraxella catarrhalis is in the family Moraxellaceae with other
Moraxella spp. and Acinetobacter. M. catarrhalis is included in this chapter because its cellular morphology
resembles the morphology of Neisseria. Currently, the genus Neisseria contains 25 species; about 12 species
and biovars can be isolated from humans. Characteristics of the family Neisseriaceae and differential
characteristics of these genera are described in this unit. This unit discusses only the morphologically and
biochemically similar Neisseria spp. and M. catarrhalis.

ENTEROBACTERIACIAE
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AEROBIC NON-SPORE FORMING GRAM POSITIVE BACILLI: MYCOBACTERIA

The genus Mycobacterium consists of approximately 100 species which have been recognized and
proposed. MTB and Mycobacterium leprae, causative agents of tuberculosis (TB) and Hansen disease (leprosy),
are the most familiar of the species respectively. For a long time both illnesses were associated with chronic
illness and social stigma. TB remains today the world's major cause of morbidity and mortality. In addition, the
growing number of immunocompromised patients worldwide has resulted in a resurgence of TB and diseases
caused by nontuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) or mycobacteria other than M. Tuberculosis.
Mycobacterium spp, in addition to TB and Hansen's disease, produces a variety of human and animal
infections. A wide group of mycobacteria which excludes M. tuberculosis complex, and M. leprosy, usually
inhabits the environment and can cause disease that is often similar to human TB.
Such species are often referred to as atypical mycobacteria or mycobacteria other than the tubercle
bacillus (MOTT). Epidemiological changes have led to difficulties in the mycobacteriology laboratory,
including the rapid identification of all clinically important mycobacteria and Mycobacterium spp. antimicrobial
susceptibility tests.
Fortunately, recent advances in clinical mycobacteriology are helping to address these challenges. Rapid
methods may eliminate the need for lengthy isolation culture and prolonged biochemical identification methods.
Future advances in applying molecular biology to mycobacteriology can further reduce the time taken to
classify, increase accuracy and reproducibility, improve performance and reduce costs. This unit will describe
the characteristics, related infection and laboratory identification of M. tuberculosis complex, M. leprosy and
other Mycobacterium spp.

NON-ENTERIC GASTROINTESTINAL PATHOGENS

Non-enteric gastrointestinal pathogens are important group of microorganisms because some of them,
the Vibrio spp. in particular, have been associated with large epidemics and pandemics. On top of that,
Campylobacter spp. Infection may be associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), and Helicobacter pylori
may cause ulcers and is associated with gastric carcinoma.
This unit addresses diarrheal disease agents and other diseases caused by Vibrio, Aeromonas,
Plesiomonas, Campylobacter, and Helicobacter. This will also describe the microscopic features, epidemiology,
and clinical infections caused by each organism. Specimen collection, transport, growth requirements, and key
biochemical reactions used for diagnosis are also included in this unit.