A rapid, simple and reliable test for the routine identification of urease producing gram-negative bacteria

The present investigation was prompted by the need to find a simple, rapid, reliable and low-cost method for the routine identification of urease producing bacteria. This method uses Nessler's reagent as an indicator of the presence of volatile ammonia produced by organisms which possess urease. The proposed method is comparable to the conventional Christensen's agar method, but is simpler and more rapid to perform.