Difference Between Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Hemolysis
Parameter |
Alpha hemolysis |
Beta hemolysis |
Gamma hemolysis |
Availability | Here Greenish discoloration is present around of colony. | Here we have Clear zone which is available around of colony | There is no change in agar around the colony |
Hemolysis | In this, we get a chance to see the partial breakdown of red blood cells | Here we see the full breakdown of red blood cell | No hemolysis is present. |
Hemolysin production | It produces hemolysins which are partially effective. | It also produces hemolysins which are fully effective. | It does not produce hemolysin. |
Mechanism of hemolysis | When hydrogen peroxide produces then it reacts with hemoglobin. | When exotoxins produce they lyse red blood cells. | It does not make hemolysin. |
Pathogenicity | It may or may not be pathogenic | It often pathogenic | It may or may not be pathogenic. |
Diagnostic tool | Here we use diagnostic tools to identify certain bacterial species. | Same for identifying the bacterial species. | Same for identifying the bacterial species. |
Antibiotic susceptibility | It may affect susceptibility to antibiotics | Same | Same |
Oxygen requirement | Here we require facultative anaerobes or aerotolerant oxygen. | Here we require aerobic or facultative anaerobes oxygen | Here we require anaerobic or facultative anaerobes oxygen. |
Example of bacteria. | Streptococcus pneumoniae, Viridians streptococci | Group A streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus | Enterococcus faecalis, some strains of Streptococcus and Staphylococcus |
Difference Between Alpha, Beta and Gamma Hemolysis
Bacteria can break open red blood cells in three ways when grown on a special type of plate called a blood agar plate: alpha, beta, and gamma hemolysis. Alpha hemolysis produces a greenish or brownish zone around the bacterial colony, while beta hemolysis produces a clear zone and gamma hemolysis produces no visible change. These different types of hemolysis can help scientists identify different types of bacteria.
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