Betahemolüüs

Betahemolüüs, also known as beta-hemolytic, is a term used in microbiology to describe bacteria that produce a distinct pattern of hemolysis on blood agar plates. Hemolysis refers to the lysis or destruction of red blood cells. Beta-hemolytic bacteria produce a zone of incomplete hemolysis around their colonies, which appears as a greenish zone on the agar plate. This is because the bacteria consume the hemoglobin from the red blood cells, leaving a greenish pigment.

The beta-hemolytic pattern is characteristic of certain bacterial species, including Streptococcus species such as Streptococcus pyogenes, which is responsible for conditions like strep throat and impetigo. Other beta-hemolytic bacteria include some species of Enterococcus and certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus.

The beta-hemolytic pattern is distinct from alpha-hemolytic bacteria, which produce a zone of complete hemolysis around their colonies, and gamma-hemolytic bacteria, which do not produce any hemolysis. The beta-hemolytic pattern is an important characteristic in the identification and classification of bacteria, particularly in clinical microbiology.