Characteristics
P. mirabilis can use urea. It can produce hydrogen sulfide gas, and forms clear films on growth media. It is motile, possessing peritrichous flagella, and is known for its swarming ability. It is commonly found in the intestinal tract of humans. P. mirabilis is not pathogenic in guinea pigs or chickens. Noteworthy is the ability of this species to inhibit growth of unrelated strains resulting in a macroscopically visible line of reduced bacterial growth where two swarming strains intersect. This line is named Dienes line after its discoverer Louis Dienes.
The micro-organism tests:
- Indole negative and Nitrate reductase positive (no gas bubbles produced)
- Methyl Red positive and Voges-Proskauer negative
- Catalase positive and Cytochrome Oxidase negative
- Phenylalanine Deaminase positive
- Tryptophan test- negative (-)
- Urea test- positive
- Casein test-negative
- Starch test- negative
- Hydrogen sulfide test- positive
- Citrate agar test- Positive
- Ornithine Decarboxylase - Positive
- Lysine Decarboxylase - Negative
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