Hippurate hydrolysis test is most helpful in differentiating which group of organisms?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Study for your Microbiology exam with engaging quizzes and comprehensive questions. Review essential concepts in Clinical Laboratory Science to ensure your success. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Hippurate hydrolysis test is most helpful in differentiating which group of organisms?

Explanation:
Hippurate hydrolysis checks for the enzyme hippuricase, which cleaves hippurate into glycine and benzoic acid. Glycine is detected by a color change after adding a reagent (ninhydrin), so a positive result appears as a blue-violet color. In clinical lab work, this test is most helpful for differentiating Group B Streptococcus—beta-hemolytic, gram-positive cocci—from other beta-hemolytic streptococci, which are usually hippurate-negative. This makes the test a practical tool specifically for distinguishing beta-hemolytic Gram-positive cocci, rather than Gram-negative organisms, Gram-positive spore-formers, or non-hemolytic cocci.

Hippurate hydrolysis checks for the enzyme hippuricase, which cleaves hippurate into glycine and benzoic acid. Glycine is detected by a color change after adding a reagent (ninhydrin), so a positive result appears as a blue-violet color. In clinical lab work, this test is most helpful for differentiating Group B Streptococcus—beta-hemolytic, gram-positive cocci—from other beta-hemolytic streptococci, which are usually hippurate-negative. This makes the test a practical tool specifically for distinguishing beta-hemolytic Gram-positive cocci, rather than Gram-negative organisms, Gram-positive spore-formers, or non-hemolytic cocci.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy