urease test

The urease test is a diagnostic procedure used to detect the presence of the enzyme urease produced by certain bacteria. In this test, a sample (like a piece of tissue or a bacterial culture) is placed in a special medium that contains urea and a pH indicator. If urease is present, it breaks down urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, which raises the pH, changing the color of the indicator—usually from yellow to pink. This color change indicates bacterial activity and helps identify specific infections, such as those caused by Helicobacter pylori.