PHENOTYPIC FEATURES DISTINGUISHING OLIGELLA-URETHRALIS FROM MORAXELLA-OSLOENSIS

The species Moraxella osloensis and Oligella (formerly Moraxella) uret hralis are often difficult to distinguish in the diagnostic laboratory . Thirty-three M. osloensis and seventeen O. urethralis strains, ident ified by cellular fatty acid patterns and hybridizations with referenc e strains, were compared for 38 phenotypic features. Nitrite reduction , growth at 42 degrees C, and alkalinization of formate, itaconate, pr oline, and threonine were found positive in all strains of O. urethral is and negative in all strains of M. osloensis, thus providing a relia ble phenotypic differentiation.