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. 1972 Apr;23(4):710–713. doi: 10.1128/am.23.4.710-713.1972

Rapid Ornithine Decarboxylase Test for the Identification of Enterobacteriaceae

Gunnar D Fay 1,2, Arthur L Barry 1,2
PMCID: PMC380423  PMID: 4553140

Abstract

Conventional methods for detecting ornithine decarboxylase activity require an extended period of incubation. However, with a few simple modifications, accurate results were obtained within a few hours rather than several days. The broth medium was modified, primarily by omitting glucose and by decreasing the pH to 5.5. A 1-ml amount of this broth was inoculated with one colony and then overlaid with sterile mineral oil. Within 2 to 4 hr, the pH increased if ornithine was decarboxylated, thus changing the color of the internal pH indicator to a dark purple. If the amino acid was not decarboxylated, the pH decreased to pH 5.0 to 5.2, enough to give a definite yellow color. With 347 selected clinical isolates, the rapid test gave results identical to those obtained in 1 to 4 days with Moeller's decarboxylase medium. Less reliable results were obtained with Difco's decarboxylase medium with 0.3% agar which was stabinoculated and read after 18 to 24 hr without a mineral oil seal. The rapid ornithine decarboxylase test represents a simple, accurate technique which is well suited for the clinical microbiology laboratory.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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