Campylobacter jejuni is which of the following?

Campylobacter jejuni is which of the following?

• A. Nonmotile
• B. Oxidase negative
• C. Hippurate hydrolysis positive
• D. A gram-negative coccobacillus

Answer: (C)

Campylobacter jejuni is distinguished clinically by its ability to hydrolyze hippurate, giving a positive hippurate hydrolysis test. This species is a gram-negative, curved or spiral rod with polar flagella and is oxidase positive, and it is not nonmotile. The description of being a gram-negative coccobacillus is less accurate for its typical shape, which is more curved or spiral rather than a true coccobacillus. Because hippurate hydrolysis is a reliable differential test that sets C. jejuni apart from related species, that positive result is the best descriptor.

Campylobacter jejuni is distinguished clinically by its ability to hydrolyze hippurate, giving a positive hippurate hydrolysis test. This species is a gram-negative, curved or spiral rod with polar flagella and is oxidase positive, and it is not nonmotile. The description of being a gram-negative coccobacillus is less accurate for its typical shape, which is more curved or spiral rather than a true coccobacillus. Because hippurate hydrolysis is a reliable differential test that sets C. jejuni apart from related species, that positive result is the best descriptor.