Oxidase test

From IDWiki

Background

  • Identifies cytochrome C oxidase by testing for the ability to oxidize tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine to indophenols, which are purple
  • The test is positive when it turns purple within 10 seconds
    • Must be done from plain 5% SBA

Interpretation

Oxidase-Positive Organisms

 StainShapeOxidase
AchromobacterGram-negativebacilluspositive
AeromonasGram-negativebacilluspositive
Alcaligenes faecalisGram-negativebacilluspositive
Brucella melitensisGram-negativecoccobacilluspositive
Burkholderia pseudomalleiGram-negativebacilluspositive
CampylobacterGram-negativebacilluspositive
Francisella tularensisGram-negativecoccobacilluspositive
negative
Helicobacter pyloriGram-negativebacilluspositive
HerbaspirillumGram-negativebacilluspositive
MicrococcusGram-positivecoccuspositive
Moraxella catarrhalisGram-negativediplococcuspositive
NeisseriaGram-negativediplococcuspositive
Ochrobactrum anthropiGram-negativebacilluspositive
PasteurellaGram-negativebacilluspositive
Pseudomonas aeruginosaGram-negativebacilluspositive
VibrioGram-negativebacilluspositive
Vibrio choleraeGram-negativebacilluspositive
VibrionaceaeGram-negativebacilluspositive

Oxidase-Negative Organisms

 StainShapeOxidase
Acinetobacter ursingiiGram-negativecoccobacillusnegative
Cronobacter sakazakiiGram-negativebacillusnegative
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiaeGram-positivebacillusnegative
Francisella tularensisGram-negativecoccobacilluspositive
negative
Listeria monocytogenesGram-variable
Gram-positive
bacillus
pleomorphic
negative
ProteusGram-negativebacillusnegative
RaoultellaGram-negativebacillusnegative
Raoultella ornithinolyticaGram-negativebacillusnegative
Stenotrophomonas maltophiliaGram-negativebacillusnegative

Further Reading