Alpha hemolysis

Alpha Hemolysis is a type of hemolysis observed in bacterial cultures. It is characterized by a greenish discoloration of the agar around the bacterial colony due to a partial destruction of red blood cells.

Overview

Alpha hemolysis is caused by the bacterial production of hydrogen peroxide, which oxidizes hemoglobin to green methemoglobin and imparts a green color to the agar. This type of hemolysis is often associated with certain species of Streptococcus, including Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus viridans.

Identification

In a laboratory setting, alpha hemolysis can be identified by streaking a bacterial sample on a blood agar plate and observing the color change around the colonies after incubation. The greenish discoloration is a key indicator of alpha hemolysis.

Clinical Significance

Alpha-hemolytic bacteria are often involved in infections of the respiratory tract, endocarditis, and other opportunistic infections. For example, Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of pneumonia, meningitis, and otitis media.

See Also

• Beta Hemolysis
• Gamma Hemolysis

References

Alpha hemolysis Resources
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