Hafnia alvei

Basic description of microbe:

• Rods (~1mm in diameter and 2-5 mm in length)

• Motile

• Anaerobic

• Optimal temperature: 30-37 ˚C

What it looks like on the agar:

• Whole Colony                                      Round; punctiform

• Margin                                                 Smooth, entire

• Elevation                                              Convex

• Color                                                   Off-white; shiny

Biochemical tests: 

• Oxidase                                               negative

• Catalase                                               positive

• Indole                                                  negative

• Simmons Citrate                                   negative

• Methyl Red                                          positive

• Voges-Proskauer                                 positive

• Lysine Decarboxylase                          positive

• H₂S production                                    negative

• Urease                                                 negative

• Reduction of Nitrate                             positive

• Phenylalanine Deaminase                      negative

Interesting Facts:

• Can occur in the feces of humans and other animals, including birds, and in sewage, soil, water, and dairy products.

• An opportunistic pathogen for humans, usually in blood, urine, or wound infections.