Proposed tests for the routine identification ofRochalimaea species

A study was conducted to establish tests for the routine identification ofRochalimaea species. Strains used were reference strains ofRochalimaea vinsonii andRochalimaea quintana, and a type strain and six human isolates ofRochalimaea henselae. Rochalimaea species were confirmed to be gram-negative, oxidase-negative, non-motile, urease-negative, indole-negative, catalase-negative, glucose-nonfermenting organisms which failed to grow on MacConkey agar. Further testing of the organisms in a commercial identification system with the addition of hemin (100 µg/ml) to the medium revealed biochemical reactivity of the organisms not previously observed. The Voges-Proskauer reaction, tests for hydrolysis of hippurate and esculin, leucine arylamidase activity and the lactose test allowed identification and differentiation of the three species.Rochalimaea henselae was the only species with a positive lactose test andRochalimaea quintana was the only species with a positive Voges-Proskauer reaction. Further studies are needed to confirm the validity of these tests for identification ofRochalimaea species.