Complete hemolysis on blood agar is called which type?

Prepare for the Respiratory CAS Exam with comprehensive quizzes. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions, each crafted with detailed explanations and hints. Equip yourself for success in your test!

Complete clearing of the blood agar around colonies means red blood cells have been fully lysed by the bacterial hemolysins. This pattern is called beta hemolysis. Alpha hemolysis, by contrast, shows a greenish, partial clearing due to incomplete lysis, while gamma hemolysis means no change—no lysis occurs. So the presence of a completely clear zone identifies beta hemolysis.