CAMP test
Encyclopedia
The CAMP test is a test to identify Group B β-streptococci based on their formation of a substance (CAMP factor) that enlarges the area of hemolysis
Hemolysis
Hemolysis —from the Greek meaning "blood" and meaning a "loosing", "setting free" or "releasing"—is the rupturing of erythrocytes and the release of their contents into surrounding fluid...

 formed by β-hemolysin
Hemolysin
Hemolysins are exotoxins produced by bacteria that cause lysis of red blood cells in vitro. Visualization of hemolysis of red blood cells in agar plates facilitates the categorization of some pathogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus...

 from Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive coccal bacterium. It is frequently found as part of the normal skin flora on the skin and nasal passages. It is estimated that 20% of the human population are long-term carriers of S. aureus. S. aureus is the most common species of...

. It is frequently used to identify Listeria spp.

CAMP factor

Although usually used to identify group "B", there is some evidence that the CAMP factor gene is present in several groups of streptococci, including group "A".

A similar factor has been identified in Bartonella henselae
Bartonella henselae
Bartonella henselae, formerly Rochalimæa, is a proteobacterium that can cause bacteremia, endocarditis, bacillary angiomatosis, and peliosis hepatis. It is also the causative agent of cat-scratch disease which, as the name suggests, occurs after a cat bite or scratch...

.

Uses

It can be used to identify Streptococcus agalactiae
Streptococcus agalactiae
Streptococcus agalactiae is a beta-hemolytic Gram-positive streptococcus.- Identification :The CAMP test is an important test for identification...

. Though not strongly beta-hemolytic on its own, it presents with a wedge-shape in the presence of Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive coccal bacterium. It is frequently found as part of the normal skin flora on the skin and nasal passages. It is estimated that 20% of the human population are long-term carriers of S. aureus. S. aureus is the most common species of...

.

History

It is an acronym for "Christie Atkins Munch-Petersen", for the three researchers who discovered the phenomenon.

It is often incorrectly reported as the product of four people (counting Munch-Petersen as two people).

The name has no relationship to Cyclic adenosine monophosphate
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate is a second messenger important in many biological processes...

(cAMP).
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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