Family: Enterobacteriaceae
E. coliMicroscopical appearance Gram negative bacilli Motile Non-spore former Non- capsulated
Cultural characteristics
Optimum temp. is 37 C˚.Can grow on simple mediaSmall (2-4 mm) in diameter, convex, opaque, smooth with entire edge.On MacConkey 's agar: Pink colonies due to lactose fermentationE. coli
Eosin Methylene Blue AgarE.coli produce black colonies with a metallic green sheen on EMB agar.
Genus Klebsiella
Gram negative bacilli Non motile Non spore-former capsulatedCultural characteristics
Large colonies, mucoid, convex. On MacConkeys agar, pink, mucoid.
IMViC Test
Indole, Methyl Red, Voges-Prosakaur, CitrateThe IMViC formula is used in differentiation of the various members of Enterobacteriaceae.
*IMViC: Indole test
Principle Certain microorganisms can metabolize tryptophan by tryptophanase The enzymatic degradation leads to the formation of pyruvic acid, indole and ammonia The presence of indole is detected by addition of Kovac's reagent.Tryptophane amino acids
Tryptophanase
Indole + Pyurvic acid + NH3
Kovac’s Reagent Red color in upper organic layer`
*
Indole test
Indole testResult: A bright pink color in the top layer indicates the presence of indole The absence of color means that indole was not produced i.e. indole is negative Special Features: Used in the differentiation of genera and species. e.g. E. coli (+) from Klebsiella (-).
Positive test e.g. E. coli
Negative test e.g. Klebsiella
Glucose
Acidic pathway
Mixed acids pH less than 4.4 Methyl Red indicator
Red color
Principle
MR positive E. coli
Or
Neutral pathway
Acety methyl carbinol (ACETOIN)
solution A solution B
Pink color
VP positive Klebsiella
* Methyl Red-Voges Proskauer (MR-VP) Tests
diacetyl
MR-VP test
Inoculate the tested organism into tubes of MR-VP broth (Glucose phosphate peptone water).Incubate the tubes at 37°C for 24 hours For methyl red: Add 6-8 drops of methyl red reagent. For Voges-Proskauer: Add 3 ml of Barritt's A (5% -naphthol), mix, 1ml of Barritt's B (40% KOH), mix . MethodMethyl Red test
Voges-Proskauer testRed: Positive MR (E. coli)
Yellow : Negative MR (Klebsiella)
Pink: Positive VP (Klebsiella)
Green : Negative VP (E. coli)
Citrate Utilization Test
Principle:
Citrate
Na2CO3
Alkaline,↑pH Blue colour
Bromothymol blue
Simmone’s Citrate media CO2 + Na + H2O
Pyruvate
Positive test
Negative test: E. coli
Contains Citrate as a sole of C source
Citrate Utilization Test
MethodCitrate Utilization Test
Examine for growth (+) Growth on the medium is accompanied by a rise in pH to change the medium from its initial green color to deep blueResult
Positive Klebsiella, Enterobacter
Negative E. coli