ABSTRACT
Human infections caused by Gram-positive organisms have increased over the years, both as nosocomial infections and community acquired infections, so it is imperative that these organisms are identified as expeditiously as possible. However, because of the sheer multitude of Gram-positive organisms implicated in disease, identification can be challenging. What follows is a synopsis of identification tests for Gram-positive organisms that can make the process easier. Because of the varying degrees of colony size and color that may mimic other Gram-positive organisms, such as streptococci and micrococci, identification of Staphylococcus can sometimes be problematic. Carbohydrate utilization such as sucrose, xylose, trehalose, fructose, maltose, mannose, and lactose as well as such tests as urease, nitrate reduction, and phosphatase will all aid in the identification of CNS. A Gram stain will assist in the preliminary identification as micrococci appear as larger Gram-positive cocci arranged in tetrads.
