Which Haemophilus species lacks fluorescence of ALA-porphyrins in ALA-porphyrin testing?

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Multiple Choice

Which Haemophilus species lacks fluorescence of ALA-porphyrins in ALA-porphyrin testing?

ALA-porphyrin testing checks whether an organism can make porphyrins when given delta-aminolevulinic acid; the porphyrins then fluoresce under UV light. Haemophilus influenzae generally produces porphyrins and will fluoresce in this test, while Haemophilus parainfluenzae cannot synthesize porphyrins even with ALA and thus does not fluoresce. So the species that lacks fluorescence is Haemophilus parainfluenzae. Neisseria meningitidis isn’t a Haemophilus and wouldn’t be expected to show this Haemophilus-specific fluorescence pattern.

ALA-porphyrin testing checks whether an organism can make porphyrins when given delta-aminolevulinic acid; the porphyrins then fluoresce under UV light. Haemophilus influenzae generally produces porphyrins and will fluoresce in this test, while Haemophilus parainfluenzae cannot synthesize porphyrins even with ALA and thus does not fluoresce. So the species that lacks fluorescence is Haemophilus parainfluenzae. Neisseria meningitidis isn’t a Haemophilus and wouldn’t be expected to show this Haemophilus-specific fluorescence pattern.

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