Motility Testing

Motility testing evaluates an organism's ability to move actively and independently. In microbiology, this test helps determine if bacteria can move through a gel or semi-solid medium, indicating their motility. A small inoculation is placed into the medium, and if bacteria are motile, they will spread out from the initial point, creating a diffuse, cloudy appearance. Non-motile bacteria remain confined to the inoculation line. This test helps identify bacteria types and understand their behavior, which is useful for diagnosing infections and guiding appropriate treatment strategies.