Hippurate hydrolysis is primarily used to differentiate which organisms?

Hippurate hydrolysis is a biochemical test used to differentiate between specific bacterial species, particularly within the Streptococcus genus. The key organisms involved in this differentiation are Group A streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes) and Group B streptococci (Streptococcus agalactiae).

Group B streptococci can hydrolyze hippurate, resulting in a positive reaction, while Group A streptococci do not exhibit this capability, resulting in a negative reaction. This distinct difference allows clinicians to identify and distinguish between these two groups of streptococci, which is crucial for determining appropriate treatment options and understanding the pathogens involved in various infections, particularly in pregnant women and newborns where Group B strep is a common pathogen.

This biochemical characteristic is thus pivotal in microbiology for accurately identifying pathogens, reinforcing the importance of hippurate hydrolysis as a key differentiating test for these specific streptococcal species.