Final answer:
Klebsiella pneumoniae is urease positive, which means it produces the enzyme urease, known for hydrolyzing urea into ammonia and raising the pH indicated by a color change in the testing medium.
Step-by-step explanation:
Is Klebsiella pneumoniae Urease Positive or Negative?
When it comes to the urease test, Klebsiella pneumoniae is generally considered urease positive. This means that the bacteria can produce the enzyme urease, which hydrolyzes urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, thereby raising the pH of the media. This biochemical capability is often used in laboratory settings to help identify and differentiate between species of bacteria.
The urease test involves using a medium that changes color in response to a change in pH. The presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae in such a medium typically results in a color change that indicates a positive urease reaction. This is evidenced by the medium turning deep pink due to the production of ammonia, as described in Figure 9 referenced above. The ability to produce urease is one factor among many that is considered when determining the appropriate treatment for bacterial infections, especially in the face of increasing antimicrobial resistance.