Which one of the following bacteria ois oxidase positive?
**Core Concept**
Oxidase test is a biochemical test used to identify bacteria that possess the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase, which is essential for cellular respiration. The test involves adding a reagent containing 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to a bacterial culture, resulting in a color change if the bacteria are oxidase-positive.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Vibrio species, such as Vibrio cholerae, possess the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase, which is responsible for the oxidation of oxygen to water during cellular respiration. The presence of this enzyme in Vibrio species leads to a positive oxidase test, resulting in a color change. This characteristic is unique to Vibrio species and is used as a diagnostic marker in microbiological identification.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option B:** Pseudomonas species, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are known to be oxidase-positive, but they are not the correct answer in this case. While Pseudomonas species do possess the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase, the question is asking for a specific example of an oxidase-positive bacterium.
**Option C:** Clostridium species, such as Clostridium difficile, are anaerobic bacteria that do not possess the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase. As a result, they are typically oxidase-negative.
**Option D:** E. coli is a Gram-negative bacterium that is typically oxidase-negative. While E. coli does possess some enzymes involved in cellular respiration, it does not possess the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase, which is required for a positive oxidase test.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to note that the oxidase test is not specific to Vibrio species and can be positive in other bacteria that possess the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase. However, the combination of oxidase positivity and other biochemical tests can help identify Vibrio species in clinical samples.
**β Correct Answer: A. Vibrio**