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Multiple Choice

Partial hemolysis on blood agar corresponds to which type?

Partial hemolysis on blood agar is known as alpha hemolysis. In this pattern, red blood cells are only partly destroyed by the organism, producing a greenish halo around the colonies due to the formation of methemoglobin from hemoglobin. This differs from beta hemolysis, which completely lyses the RBCs and leaves a clear zone, and from gamma hemolysis, which shows no change at all. The green coloration and partial lysis are characteristic clues, often seen with viridans group streptococci and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Partial hemolysis on blood agar is known as alpha hemolysis. In this pattern, red blood cells are only partly destroyed by the organism, producing a greenish halo around the colonies due to the formation of methemoglobin from hemoglobin. This differs from beta hemolysis, which completely lyses the RBCs and leaves a clear zone, and from gamma hemolysis, which shows no change at all. The green coloration and partial lysis are characteristic clues, often seen with viridans group streptococci and Streptococcus pneumoniae.