What is the Difference Between CAMP and Reverse CAMP Test

Thekey differencebetween CAMP and reverse CAMP testis that the CAMP test is a test to identify group Bβ hemolytic streptococcisuch as Streptococcus agalactiae, while the reverse CAMP test is a test to identify Clostridium perfringens using β-hemolytic streptococci.

CAMP and reverse CAMP tests are two common laboratory tests to detect pathological bacteria such asStreptococcusagalactiaeandClostridium perfringens. Christie, Atkins, and Munch Petersen first described the CAMP test in 1944. It detected thatStreptococcus agalactiaeproduced an extracellular and heat-stable protein known as the CAMP factor. The CAMP factor acts synergistically with the beta hemolysin protein usually produced byStaphylococcus aureus.When bothStreptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureusare grown in sheepblood agarmedium, the effect is a zone of enhanced lysis in this media. Therefore, this test is commonly used for the identification of group B streptococci likeStreptococcus agalactiae.On the other hand, the reverse CAMP test was found by Hansen to identifyClostridium perfringens.

CONTENTS

1.Overview and Key Difference
2.What is CAMP Test
3.What is Reverse CAMP Test
4.Similarities – CAMP and Reverse CAMP Test
5.CAMP vs. Reverse CAMP Test in Tabular Form
6.Summary – CAMP vs. Reverse CAMP Test

What is CAMP Test?

The CAMP test is a test to identify group B streptococci like Streptococcus agalactiae. This test is based on the formation of a protein called CAMP factor by Streptococcus agalactiae, which enlarges the area of hemolysis in sheep blood agar medium formed by the β hemolysin protein of Staphylococcus aureus.

In this test, the Staphylococcus aureus is first streaked in the center of the sheep blood agar medium. Then, the Streptococcus agalactiae is streaked perpendicular to it. Later, the plate is incubated from 35^oCto 37^oCfor 15 to 24 hours in anaerobic conditions. A wedge-shaped pattern radiating from the Streptococcus agalactiae near the Staphylococcus aureus indicates a positive result.

What is Reverse CAMP Test?

A microbiologist called Hansen used the synergistic relationship betweenClostridium perfringensand Group BStreptococci,such asStreptococcus agalactiae, to develop the reverse CAMP test. It was detected thatClostridium perfringensproduces a protein known as alpha toxin. The alpha toxin acts synergistically with the CAMP factor usually produced byStreptococcus agalactiae. Therefore, when bothClostridium perfringensandStreptococcus agalactiaeare grown in sheep blood agar medium, the effect is a zone of enhanced lysis in this medium.

In this test, theStreptococcus agalactiaeis first streaked in the center of the sheep blood agar medium. Then theClostridium perfringensis streaked perpendicular to it. Later, the plate is incubated at 37^oCfor 24 to 48 hours in anaerobic conditions. An arrowhead type of enhanced hemolysis is seen between the growth ofClostridium perfringensandStreptococcus agalactiae,which indicates a positive result.

What are the Similarities Between CAMP and Reverse CAMP Test?

• CAMP and reverse CAMP tests are two common laboratory tests to detect pathological bacteria such asStreptococcusagalactiaeand Clostridium perfringens.
• 测试都是微生物实验室检测。
• Both tests use sheep blood agar as the medium.
• They use proteins and enhanced hemolysis on the sheep blood agar principle to identify the bacteria.
• They are cheap and cost-effective techniques.

What is the Difference Between CAMP and Reverse CAMP Test?

CAMP test is a test to identify group B β hemolytic streptococci such as Streptococcus agalactiae,while the reverse CAMP test is a test to identify Clostridium perfringens using β-hemolytic streptococci. Thus, this is the key difference between CAMP and reverse CAMP Test.

The infographic below presents the differences between CAMP and reverse CAMP Test in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – CAMP vs. Reverse CAMP Test

CAMP and reverse CAMP tests are two common laboratory tests to detect pathological bacteria. Both tests use sheep blood agar as the medium. However, the CAMP test identifies group B β hemolytic streptococci such as Streptococcus agalactiae,while the reverse CAMP test identifies Clostridium perfringens. So, this summarizes the difference between CAMP and reverse CAMP test.

Reference:

1. “Camp Test: Principle: Uses: Procedure.” Microbiologie Clinique.
2. “Reverse CAMP Test for the Identification of Clostridium Perfringens美国微生物学会

Image Courtesy:

1. “CAMP test” By Blueiridium – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “CAMP-Test zur Bestimmung von Listerien auf einer Blutagarplatte” By Lemi15 – Own work(CC BY-SA 3.0)via Commons Wikimedia