List of Catalase Positive Microorganisms (With Mnemonics)

Catalase is a very common enzyme found in almost all kinds of organisms which mainly include bacteria, plants, and animals. In this article, we are going to share with you list of catalase positive microorganisms and mnemonics to help you remember them easily. 🙂

But before we get there, let us first take a look at the enzyme Catalase.

Function of Catalase: Breakdown of Hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen thus prevents oxidative damage caused by Reactive Oxygen Species ultimately protecting the cell.

REACTION:  2 H₂O₂ → 2 H₂O + O₂

Structure of Catalase: Made up of four polypeptide chains (tetramer), each chain consisting of over 500 amino acids.

List of Catalase Positive Microorganisms

Here’s the list of medically-important catalase positive microorganisms which are frequently encountered by students:

1. Staphylococci
2. Pseudomonas Aaeroginosa
3. Aspergillus fumigatus
4. Candida albicans
5. Enterobacteriaceae (includes Klebsiella, Serratia)
6. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (it produces a heat-labile catalase which functions only at a certain body temperature)

** The anaerobes are NEVER catalase positive.

Disease caused by Catalase Positive Microorganisms: Chronic Granulomatous Disease

Mnemonic for Catalase Positive Microorganisms

Here are a few interesting and easy-to-remember mnemonics for catalase positive microorganisms:

C: Candida albicans
A: Aspergillus fumigatus
S: Staphylococci
E: Enterobacteriaceae

And here’s a PRO one for you! 😀

In this mnemonic for catalase positive microorganism, you will be able to remember the disease, Chronic Granulomatous Disease or CGD which they cause. 🙂 Here goes:

CGD is SPACE +ve

S: Staphylococci
P: Pseudomonas aeroginosa
A: Aspergillus fumigatus
C: Candida albicans

GOOD LUCK! 🙂

Did we miss something? Please add your mnemonics if you wish to contribute to this post.