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NBEO Microbiology Practice Test

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Staphylococcus epidermidis catalase status?
Correct Answer:
Positive
Explanation:
The catalase test checks whether an organism makes the enzyme catalase, which breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. Staphylococcus species, including Staphylococcus epidermidis, are catalase-positive, so you’ll see immediate bubbling when hydrogen peroxide is added to a colony. That bubbling confirms a positive result and is a reliable way to distinguish Staphylococcus from streptococci, which are catalase-negative. So for Staphylococcus epidermidis, the catalase status is positive. If you ever got a negative result, it would suggest an unusual finding or testing issue, since this species routinely shows a positive catalase reaction.

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