Which organism is a Gram-negative bacillus with oxidase positive, bleach smell, and growth on Media PIT?

Prepare for the CAMLPR Microbiology Test. Utilize flashcards and engaging multiple-choice questions, each equipped with descriptions and explanations. Ready yourself for an excellent performance!

The recognizable clue here is the combination of a bleach-like odor and the ability to form pits on agar, which points to Eikenella corrodens. This Gram-negative bacillus is famously associated with the human mouth and with infections after human bites or periodontal disease. Its growth on pit-forming media (Media PIT) is a distinctive trait: the colonies actually corrode the agar, creating visible pits. Among the organisms listed, this odor and the agar-pitting behavior are the strongest cues that identify it, whereas the others are not known for producing a bleach odor or for pit formation on agar. Campylobacter is a curved, microaerophilic organism that grows on Campy media and doesn’t produce agar pits; Vibrio is another curved rod associated with marine environments and typical Vibrio-selective media; Pasteurella multocida is a small Gram-negative coccobacillus without agar pit formation. So the odor and pit-growth traits together make Eikenella corrodens the best match.