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beta-hemolysis
Zone of complete or true hemolysis observed in blood agar cultures of various bacteria. Virtually all of the erythrocytes are lysed in a wide, regularly circumscribed, circular zone around the colony, resulting in a clear halo of transparent agar. The zone of hemolysis is frequently much wider than the colony.
Etiology:
- bacteria causing beta-hemolysis in blood agar include:
a) Streptococci
b) Staphylococci
Related
beta-hemolytic streptococcus
Staphylococcus
General
hemolysis
References
Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams &
Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999