Which of the following species of Bordetella are urease and oxidase-positive?

Which of the following species of Bordetella are urease and oxidase-positive?

• A. Parapertussis
• B. Bronchiseptica
• C. Pertussis
• D. None of the above

Answer: (A)

Bordetella parapertussis is recognized for being urease and oxidase-positive, distinguishing it from some of its closely related species. Urease is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, which can be utilized in the laboratory for identification purposes. Oxidase tests measure the presence of cytochrome c oxidase, an enzyme associated with the electron transport chain in bacteria. The identification of Bordetella species, particularly in clinical settings, relies on these biochemical characteristics, which can help differentiate between pathogens. In this case, Bordetella bronchiseptica and Bordetella pertussis do not exhibit both of these enzymatic activities, making Bordetella parapertussis the correct choice as the only species in the provided options that is both urease and oxidase-positive.

Bordetella parapertussis is recognized for being urease and oxidase-positive, distinguishing it from some of its closely related species. Urease is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, which can be utilized in the laboratory for identification purposes. Oxidase tests measure the presence of cytochrome c oxidase, an enzyme associated with the electron transport chain in bacteria.

The identification of Bordetella species, particularly in clinical settings, relies on these biochemical characteristics, which can help differentiate between pathogens. In this case, Bordetella bronchiseptica and Bordetella pertussis do not exhibit both of these enzymatic activities, making Bordetella parapertussis the correct choice as the only species in the provided options that is both urease and oxidase-positive.