-
Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) with Beads is an isotonic diluent for the maximum recovery of mycobacteria. The low nutritional content of the diluent prevents organism multiplication in the sample for a minimum of one hour. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance and the beads help to separate mycobacteria cell clumps. -
A very nutritious isotonic general-purpose medium with a low concentration of Glucose to stimulate early growth, Brain Heart Infusion Broth is suitable for the isolation of most micro-organisms including many fastidious organisms and, with enrichment as appropriate, is suitable as a base for blood culture medium. A phosphate buffer is incorporated to help neutralise any acids produced as a result of Glucose utilisation and thus maintain viability of the organisms. This particular formulation also has added Glycerol to act as cryopreservative if the medium is used for the long term frozen storage of microorganisms. NB: Organisms that produce large amounts of acid in the medium may overwhelm the buffering system and as a result ‘auto-sterilise’ the culture. -
Columbia Agar is a nutritious general-purpose basal medium capable of supporting the growth of most micro-organisms, including many fastidious organisms that do not require blood. However when further enriched with Sterile Blood, which can be “chocolated” if required, the medium is generally used for the isolation of most clinically significant pathogens. The medium can be made selective for various groups of organisms by the addition of a range of antimicrobial supplements. This formulation complies with the Harmonized USP/EP/JP. -
A highly nutritious medium enriched with Horse Blood, where the blood has been ‘chocolated’ by heating the medium to 60°C. Suitable for the cultivation of most pathogens including many fastidious organisms and is particularly suitable for Haemophilus and Neisseria spp. -
A medium for the selective isolation of group B streptococci. This information has been obtained directly from the HPA files at the customers request. -
This is a solution of novobiocin used as the selective agent in Modified Semi Solid Rappaport Vassiliadis Medium (BM4031) for the detection of motile Salmonella spp.
-
Approved by the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI formerly known as the NCCLS) in USA this medium can be considered as an alternative to Iso-Sensitest Broth for antimicrobial sensitivity testing and MIC determinations by tube dilution methods. It is low in Thymine and Thymidine and is therefore suitable for use in testing Sulphonamides & Trimethoprim. It is sometimes used in conjunction with Mueller-Hinton Agar. -
This is a non-nutrient medium based on Page’s Amoeba Saline, a buffered salt solution, solidified with 1.5% Agar.
-
This is an aqueous solution of Oxalic acid (5%) suitable for use in the digestion and neutralisation of Sputum that may be contaminated with Pseudomonas like organisms prior to culture. -
This is one of the large group of media, affectionately known as ‘Peptone Water Sugars’, that are generally used in the screening and/or identification of organisms particularly the enterobacteriacae. A positive fermentation of the substrate is clearly indicated by the medium turning pink due to the inclusion Andrade’s Indicator. -
This medium is based on the formula described by Kupferburg, Johnson and Sprince for the selective isolation of Trichomonas spp. The medium is selective due to the inclusion of the broad spectrum antibiotic, chloramphenicol, to inhibit a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species. This medium does not contain an antifungal agent and Candida spp. will not be suppressed. However, the growth of Candida spp. does not interfere with that of Trichomonas spp. The inclusion of methylene blue as a redox indicator allows for the visualisation of any significant oxygen diffusion in the medium. Cultures may be examined microscopically after 48 hours incubation at 37°C for the presence of flagellate protozoans. If a negative result is obtained then the culture may be re-incubated for a further 72 hours. -
Tryptone Water is an alternative medium to Peptone Water and more reliable for the testing of Indole production. The medium has a high content of Tryptophan that many organisms, particularly coliforms, break down to form Indole. After incubation add a few drops of Indole reagent to determine the Indole reaction (Red colour is Positive). -
Based on Christensen’s Medium this medium is generally used to detect rapid urease activity of Proteus spp although it can be used to detect urease activity of other Enterobacteriaceae. When used for the later purpose it is necessary to increase the incubation time to as long as 48 hours.
