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Indole Test: Vulgaris, P. Rettgeri, M. Morgani and Providencia Species Break Down The Amino
Indole Test: Vulgaris, P. Rettgeri, M. Morgani and Providencia Species Break Down The Amino
This test demonstrate the ability of certain bacteria to decompose the amino
acid tryptophane to indole, which accumulates in the medium. Indole production
test is important in the identification of Enterobacteria. Most strains of E. coli, P.
vulgaris, P. rettgeri, M. morgani and Providencia species break down the amino
acid tryptophan with the release of indole. This is performed by a chain of a
number of different intracellular enzymes, a system generally referred to as
“tryptophanase.” It is used as part of the IMViC procedures,a tests designed to
distinguish among members of the family Enterobacteriaceae.
A variation on this test using Ehrlich’s reagent (using ethyl alcohol in place of
isoamyl alcohol, developed by Paul Ehrlich) is used when performing the test
on non-fermenters and anaerobes.
Procedure of Indole Test
Positive: Formation of a pink to red color (“cherry-red ring”) in the reagent layer on top of the
medium within seconds of adding the reagent.
Examples: Actinobacillus spp., Aeromonas salmonicida, Alcaligenes sp.,
most Bacillus sp., Bordetella sp., Enterobacter sp., Lactobacillus spp., most Haemophilus sp.,
most Klebsiella sp., Neisseria sp., Pasteurella haemolytica, Pasteurella ureae, Proteus
mirabilis, P. penneri, Pseudomonas sp.,Salmonella sp., Serratia sp., Yersinia sp.
Indole Spot Reagent Result
Method
1. To differentiate Proteus
mirabilis (indole negative) from all
other Proteus species (indole
positive).
2. To differentiate Klebssiella
pneumoniae (indole negative)
from Klebsiella oxytoca (indole
positive).
3. To differentiate Citrobacter
freundii (indole negative)
from Citrobacter koseri (indole
positive).
Quality Control for Indole Test
Clark and Lubs developed MR-VP Broth which allowed both the MR and VP
tests to be performed from the same inoculated medium by aliquoting
portions to different tubes.