Blood Drug Testing

Need help in differentiating between Klebsiella pneumoniae and Shigella sonnei via lab tests?

I've been researching these two bacteria for a while yet they are SO similar in many characteristics that I can't find a test that would help to differentiate between them. Also, my lab does not have access to Blood-Agar so hemolytic activity cannot be a factor in differentiating them. Thank you

Public Comments

1. i think klesiella is motile and shigella is not. oh and klebsiella is oxidase positive, and shigella is oxidase negative, i think, hmm, let me check my microbiology books , i'll get right back to you as soon as i got the information to your needs
2. Klebsiella and Shigella both fall under the Enterobacteriaceae family. They are BOTH cytochrome oxidase negative and BOTH are not motile. To distinguish them, you can look for a capsule with a capsule stain. Most Klebsiella have a capsule and have mucoid colonies on agar indicative of capsule formation, Shigella do not. Klebsiella ferments lactose while Shigella does not. You can plate them on MacConkey to confirm. Hope that helps