{
  "schema_version": "1.0",
  "level": "genus",
  "genus": "Azotobacter",

  "overview": {
    "short": "Azotobacter species are Gram-negative, obligately aerobic, free-living nitrogen-fixing rods commonly found in soil and water.",
    "clinical_context": "Rarely associated with human disease; most isolates are environmental or laboratory contaminants."
  },

  "expected_fields": {
    "Gram Stain": "Negative",
    "Shape": "Rods",
    "Motility": "Variable",
    "Capsule": "Positive",
    "Spore Formation": "Negative",
    "Haemolysis": "Negative",
    "Haemolysis Type": "None",
    "Media Grown On": [
      "Nutrient Agar"
    ],
    "Colony Morphology": [
      "Large",
      "Mucoid",
      "Smooth"
    ],
    "Oxygen Requirement": "Aerobic",
    "Growth Temperature": "20//37",
    "Catalase": "Positive",
    "Oxidase": "Positive",
    "Indole": "Negative",
    "Urease": "Negative",
    "Citrate": "Positive",
    "Methyl Red": "Negative",
    "VP": "Negative",
    "H2S": "Negative",
    "DNase": "Negative",
    "ONPG": "Negative",
    "Coagulase": "Negative",
    "Gelatin Hydrolysis": "Variable",
    "Esculin Hydrolysis": "Negative",
    "Nitrate Reduction": "Variable",
    "NaCl Tolerant (>=6%)": "Negative",
    "Lipase Test": "Negative",
    "Lysine Decarboxylase": "Negative",
    "Ornithine Decarboxylase": "Negative",
    "Ornitihine Decarboxylase": "Negative",
    "Arginine dihydrolase": "Negative",
    "Glucose Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Lactose Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Sucrose Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Maltose Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Mannitol Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Sorbitol Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Xylose Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Rhamnose Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Arabinose Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Raffinose Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Trehalose Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Inositol Fermentation": "Negative",
    "Gas Production": "Negative",
    "TSI Pattern": "Unknown",
    "Colony Pattern": "Unknown",
    "Pigment": "Variable",
    "Motility Type": "Peritrichous"
  },

  "field_notes": {
    "Oxygen Requirement": "Azotobacter species are strictly aerobic despite nitrogen fixation.",
    "Capsule": "Prominent polysaccharide capsule contributes to mucoid colonies.",
    "Glucose Fermentation": "Azotobacter are non-fermenters; energy is derived via oxidative metabolism."
  },

  "key_differentiators": [
    {
      "field": "Oxygen Requirement",
      "expected": "Aerobic",
      "distinguishes_from": ["Enterobacter", "Klebsiella"],
      "notes": "Strict aerobic growth helps exclude Enterobacterales."
    },
    {
      "field": "Capsule",
      "expected": "Positive",
      "distinguishes_from": ["Pseudomonas"],
      "notes": "Heavy capsule and mucoid colonies are characteristic."
    },
    {
      "field": "Glucose Fermentation",
      "expected": "Negative",
      "distinguishes_from": ["Enterobacterales"],
      "notes": "Non-fermentative metabolism separates Azotobacter from many Gram-negative rods."
    }
  ],

  "common_confusions": [
    {
      "genus": "Pseudomonas",
      "reason": "Both are aerobic Gram-negative rods and oxidase positive."
    },
    {
      "genus": "Burkholderia",
      "reason": "Environmental origin and non-fermentative metabolism may overlap."
    }
  ],

  "when_to_question_identification": [
    "Growth under anaerobic conditions argues against Azotobacter.",
    "Strong glucose fermentation suggests Enterobacterales.",
    "Lack of capsule suggests another aerobic Gram-negative rod."
  ],

  "recommended_next_tests": [
    {
      "test": "Oxidative/Fermentative glucose test",
      "reason": "Confirms oxidative (non-fermentative) metabolism."
    },
    {
      "test": "Nitrogen fixation testing",
      "reason": "Demonstrates characteristic nitrogen-fixing capability."
    },
    {
      "test": "MALDI-TOF MS",
      "reason": "Reliable for environmental species identification."
    }
  ],

  "supported_species": [
    "chroococcum",
    "vinelandii"
  ]
}