Hemolysis and Hemodigestion: Introduction, Differences, and Related Footages

Introduction of Hemolysis and Hemodigestion

When the pure isolated colony of organism on a blood agar plate is exposed in bright transmitted light, we differentiate between hemolysis and hemodigestion since hemolysis is the process of killing blood cells by bacteria, and the area surrounding a single colony becomes partial clear (alpha hemolysis e.g. Streptococcus pneumoniae ) or completely clear (beta hemolysis e.g. Streptococcus agalactiae) whereas in hemodigestion no clear zone can be seen near single colony but can be observed near the dense streaked area of the bacteria (Vibrio cholerae).

Hemolysis and Hemodigestion- Introduction, Differences, and Related Footages
Hemolysis (left)-Beta-hemolysis of S. aureus on blood agar in bright transmitted light and Hemodigestion (right)- Vibrio cholerae on blood agar

Difference between Hemolysis and Hemodigestion

The differences between hemolysis and hemodigestion are summarized as follows-

HemolysisHemodigestion
A clear zone surrounding a single colony A clear zone near the dense streaked area
A clear zone with debrisA clear zone without debris
Bacteria use hemolysins that cause lysis of blood cells.It is the nonspecific killing of blood cells by metabolic by-products of bacteria.
Microbes responsible for hemolysis mainly express partial and complete hemolysis. e.g. Streptococcus pneumoniae (partial hemolysis) and Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae (clear zone)Microbes responsible for hemodigestion mainly express the greenish zone that appears around the colonies and later becomes clear. e.g. Vibrio cholerae
Table: Differences between hemolysis and haemodigestion

Alpha hemolysis of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Alpha hemolysis of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Fig. Alpha hemolysis of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Beta-hemolysis of Staphylococcus aureus

Beta-hemolysis of Staphylococcus aureus
Fig. Beta-hemolysis of Staphylococcus aureus

Streptococcus pyogenes beta-hemolytic colony

Streptococcus pyogenes beta-hemolytic colony
Fig. Streptococcus pyogenes beta-hemolytic colony

Streptococcus agalactiae beta-hemolytic colony on blood agar of high vaginal swab culture

Streptococcus agalactiae beta-hemolytic colony on blood agar of high vaginal swab culture
Fig. Streptococcus agalactiae beta-hemolytic colony on blood agar of high vaginal swab culture

The greenish colonies of Vibrio cholerae on blood agar

The greenish colonies of Vibrio cholerae on blood agar
Fig. The greenish colonies of Vibrio cholerae on blood agar later become clear as shown below image.

Hemodigestion on blood agar by Vibrio cholerae

Hemodigestion on blood agar by Vibrio cholerae
Fig. Hemodigestion on blood agar by Vibrio cholerae

Hemodigestion on blood agar by bacteria

Hemodigestion on blood agar by bacteria
Fig. Hemodigestion on blood agar by bacteria

Further Reading

  1. researchgate.net/post/Difference_between_Hemolysis_and_Hemodigestion
  2. https://universe84a.com/collection/blood-agar-haemodigestion/
  3. awetz, Melnick and Adelberg’s Medical Microbiology. Editors: Geo. F. Brook, Janet S. Butel & Stephen A. Morse, 21st ed 1998, Publisher Appleton & Lance, Co Stamford Connecticut.
  4. Mackie and Mc Cartney Practical Medical Microbiology. Editors: J.G. Colle, A.G. Fraser, B.P. Marmion, A. Simmous, 4th ed, Publisher Churchill Living Stone, New York, Melborne, Sans Franscisco 1996.
  5.  Manual of Clinical Microbiology. Editors: P.R. Murray, E. J. Baron, M. A. Pfaller, F. C. Tenover and R. H. Yolken, 7th ed 2005, Publisher ASM, USA
  6. District Laboratory Practice in  Tropical Countries  –  Part-2-   Monica Cheesebrough-   2nd Edn Update
  7.  Text book of Diagnostic Microbiology. Editors: Connie R. Mahon, Donald G. Lehman & George Manuselis, 3rd edition2007, Publisher Elsevier.
  8. https://www.jfmed.uniba.sk/fileadmin/jlf/Pracoviska/ustav-mikrobiologie-a-imunologie/VLa/STREPTOCOCCI.pdf

48 thoughts on “Hemolysis and Hemodigestion: Introduction, Differences, and Related Footages”

  1. Thank you for all of the effort on this web page. My mom really likes doing internet research and it is obvious why. I know all relating to the dynamic medium you make important tips by means of this blog and as well attract contribution from visitors on that concept so our favorite child is truly being taught a great deal. Enjoy the rest of the year. Your performing a glorious job.

    Reply
  2. This is a very good tips especially to those new to blogosphere, brief and accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read article.

    Reply
  3. We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with valuable info to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful to you.

    Reply
  4. I am typically to running a blog and i actually admire your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and preserve checking for brand new information.

    Reply
  5. Hello there, simply turned into alert to your weblog thru Google, and found that it’s really informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you happen to proceed this in future. A lot of people will likely be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

    Reply
  6. Great blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol

    Reply
  7. Hey very nice site!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also…I’m happy to find a lot of useful information here in the post, we need work out more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

    Reply
  8. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You clearly know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something informative to read?

    Reply
  9. Somebody essentially help to make seriously articles I would state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I amazed with the research you made to make this particular publish amazing. Excellent job!

    Reply
  10. I have been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this web site. Studying this information So i’m glad to show that I’ve a very excellent uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed. I such a lot without a doubt will make sure to don’t omit this site and provides it a glance regularly.

    Reply
  11. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So good to search out anyone with some original ideas on this subject. realy thank you for starting this up. this website is something that is wanted on the net, somebody with a little bit originality. helpful job for bringing one thing new to the internet!

    Reply
  12. I like what you guys are up too. Such smart work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my site :).

    Reply
  13. I have been surfing online greater than 3 hours these days, yet I by no means found any interesting article like yours. It is beautiful worth enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made just right content as you did, the net shall be a lot more useful than ever before.

    Reply
  14. Thanks for your marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author.I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and will often come back in the future. I want to encourage continue your great work, have a nice day!

    Reply
  15. Good V I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related information ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, website theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Nice task..

    Reply
  16. You actually make it appear so easy along with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something which I feel I would by no means understand. It sort of feels too complex and extremely broad for me. I am taking a look ahead on your subsequent submit, I’ll attempt to get the dangle of it!

    Reply
  17. I have not checked in here for a while since I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

    Reply
  18. A lot of thanks for all your work on this blog. Debby delights in setting aside time for investigation and it’s really simple to grasp why. Almost all learn all of the dynamic method you present functional things through the blog and as well attract response from other ones about this subject matter then our own princess is always becoming educated a lot. Take advantage of the rest of the year. You’re conducting a really good job.

    Reply
  19. I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my problem. You’re incredible! Thanks!

    Reply
  20. You could definitely see your expertise within the work you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. At all times go after your heart.

    Reply

Leave a Comment