Helicobacter Pylori Urease drawn from PDB 1E9Z. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What is urease test?

Some organisms, especially bacteria produce an exoenzyme called urease. Urease test is the test which is used to identify these organisms in broth culture.Another method is by using Rapid Urease test, which helps in documenting H.Pylori eradication in Peptic ulcer disease.

There are different mnemonics to memorize these organisms, I have compiled a list of these mnemonics as given below

Urease positive organisms Mnemonics

1.PUNCH

Proteus
Ureaplasma
Nocardia
Cryptoccocus
Helicobacter pylori

2. SCHPUNK

Staphylococcus
Cryptococcus
Helicobacter
Proteus
Ureaplasma urealyticum
Nocardia
Klebsiella

3.BacK PPUNCHeS

Bacteroides
Klebsiella
Proteus
Providencia
Ureaplasma
Nocardia
Cryptococcus
H. pylori
S. saprophyticus