File:CAMP Test-Negative.jpg

English: The CAMP test is a microbiological test used to identify certain bacteria, particularly those belonging to the genus Streptococcus. The test is designed to detect the production of a protein called CAMP factor, which enhances the activity of another protein called hemolysin. Hemolysin is responsible for breaking down red blood cells. In the CAMP test, the bacterium being tested (often Staphylococcus aureus) is streaked perpendicularly to a streak of Streptococcus agalactiae (also known as Group B Streptococcus) on a blood agar plate. If the tested bacterium produces CAMP factor, it will enhance the hemolysis caused by the Streptococcus agalactiae bacterium. This results in a characteristic arrowhead-shaped zone of enhanced hemolysis at the junction of the two streaks. If the CAMP test is negative, it means that the tested bacterium did not produce CAMP factor and therefore did not enhance hemolysis in the presence of Streptococcus agalactiae. This negative result provides information about the absence of this specific biochemical activity in the tested bacterium. The CAMP test is primarily used to differentiate between different species of streptococci, especially in clinical microbiology laboratories where bacterial identification is important for diagnosing infections and guiding treatment decisions.