Rapid catalase supplemental test for identification of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae.

A simple, rapid, semiquantitative slide catalase test useful for differentiating members of the family Enterobacteriaceae is described. Judging by the time required for appearance of oxygen bubbles in 3% hydrogen peroxide, the immediate catalase reactors were Yersinia, Serratia, Proteus, Morganella, Providencia, Cedecea, and Hafnia spp. The delayed catalase reactors were Escherichia, Shigella, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Salmonella, Citrobacter, Edwardsiella, Kluyvera, and Tatumella spp. This information is especially useful for differentiating Serratia from Enterobacter spp. and Yersinia from Escherichia and Shigella spp.