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  • Brilliant green agar is for the selective isolation of Salmonella spp., other than S. typhi. Brilliant green agar was first cited by Kristensen et al. in 1925 but was subsequently modified by the Netherlands Institute for Public Health. Brilliant green agar is generally used in conjunction with XLD agar (KM0013) as a secondary plating medium for subculture from selective enrichment media in food and environmental testing. It should be noted that the medium is highly selective and therefore not suited to the isolation of Salmonella spp. from samples where the numbers may be low. Beef extract, peptone and yeast extract provide the required carbon, nitrogen and vitamins. Di-sodium hydrogen phosphate and sodium di-hydrogen phosphate are buffering agents. Lactose and sucrose are fermentable carbohydrates. Phenol red is a pH indicator and turns the medium yellow during lactose and/or sucrose fermentation. Brilliant green inhibits Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacilli other than Salmonella spp. NB: It is not recommended that this medium be used for the isolation of Salmonella typhi or Shigella spp. Related Supplements : LS0024 Novobiocin Supplement (20mgs/L)
  • This medium is intended for use in the isolation of Salmonella spp, other than Salmonella typhi. Although it can be used as a primary isolation medium, it is not recommended for this purpouse and is generally used for subculture from selective enrichment media. It should be noted that the medium is highly selective and therefore not suited to the isolation of salmonella from samples where numbers may be low. NB: - It is not recommended that this medium is used for the isolation of Salmonella typhi and Shigella spp.
  • This medium is used to detect and/or confirm the presence of coli-aerogenes group of organisms in water, food and dairy laboratories. Bile and Brilliant Green are included in the medium to inhibit gram positive organisms while the coli-aerogenes organisms are identified by the formation of gas during the fermentation of Lactose. The medium can also be used for the confirmation of Escherichia coli by incubating at 44°C.
  • Brilliant Green Agar This medium is intended for use in the isolation of Salmonellae other than Salmonella typhi. Although it can be used as a primary isolation medium it is not recommended for this purpose and is generally used for subculture from selective enrichment media. It should be noted that the medium is highly selective and therefore not suited to the isolation of Salmonella from samples where the numbers may be low. NB:  It is not recommended that this medium be used for the isolation of Salmonella typhi and Shigella spp.
  • Brucella Agar is a non-selective medium that is enriched with peptones, 5% sheep blood, haemin and vitamin K to support the growth of fastidious, slow growing, obligately anaerobic micro-organisms.
  • Brucella agar is an enriched non-selective medium that supports the growth of fastidious and slow growing, obligately anaerobic micro-organisms due to its content of peptones, dextrose and yeast extract. The medium is supplemented with sheep blood, haemin and vitamin K which provide essential nutrients for certain anaerobes.
  • Brucella Broth was developed to cultivate Brucella spp. from a wide variety of clinical samples but it is also widely used as a general enrichment broth for both fastidious and non-fastidious organisms.
  • Brucella broth is a non-selective medium for the cultivation of Brucella spp. and other fastidious microorganisms. Brucella broth has been developed from the APHA formulation for Albimi broth. (1&2) The enzymatic digest of casein, enzymatic digest of animal tissues and yeast extract provide the necessary carbon, nitrogen and vitamin sources for this medium. Glucose is a fermentable carbohydrate and sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance of the medium. Sodium bisulfite is added to enhance growth. References (1) Hausler, W. J. (ed.). 1976. Standard methods for the examination of dairy products, 14th ed. American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C. (2) ISO 10272-1:2006. Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs – Horizontal method for detection and enumeration of Campylobacter spp.
  • Brucella Medium Base is a general purpose medium for the cultivation of Brucella spp. and other fastidious microorganisms. Brucella Medium Base has been developed from the APHA formulation for Albimi broth. The peptones act as carbon, nitrogen and vitamin source in this medium. Glucose is a fermentable carbohydrate and sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance of the medium.
  • This is a modification of the original Nitrate Reduction Broth which is generally used as one of a series of identification tests for the enterobacteriaceae group of organisms. In addition to allowing the testing of Nitrate Reduction this formulation also contains Agar making it possible to concurrently determine motility. The medium is recommended for use in the confirmatory testing of Clostridium perfringens in water samples. The medium is inoculated by “stabbing” the test organism into the medium, using an inoculating needle or straight wire, and after appropriate incubation motility is demonstrated by diffusion of the organism from the line of inoculation into the medium. The Nitrate Reduction Test is a test for the presence of the enzyme nitrate reductase which, in the presence of an appropriate electron donor, reduces nitrate to nitrite. Following incubation “Nitrate Reagent” is added to the medium and a positive reaction is indicated by the formation of a red colour. For full details of the test method reference should be made to appropriate publications.
  • A pre-enrichment medium designed to help sub-lethally damaged Salmonella spp. recover before introducing them into a selective medium. This non-selective, nutritious medium is free from inhibitors and is well buffered to maintain the pH at 7.0 for the incubation period according to ISO 6579 (2002).
  • Formulated to ISO 6579, Buffered Peptone Water (BPW) is a pre-enrichment medium designed to help sub-lethally damaged Salmonella spp. recover before introducing them into a selective enrichment medium. Enzymatic digest of casein is the source of the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance in the medium. Di-sodium hydrogen phosphate and potassium di-hydrogen phosphate act as buffers in the medium. This nutritious medium is free from inhibitors and is well buffered to maintain pH 7.0 for the incubation period. Sub-lethal injury to Salmonella spp. occurs in many food processes and this pre-enrichment step greatly increases the chance of their recovery, especially if a low number of cells are present in a sample.  
  • Buffered Sodium Chloride Peptone Diluent is used for the microbial examination of pharmaceutical products, e.g. as a diluent for sample preparation or as a rinsing solution. This formulation complies with the Harmonized USP/EP/JP.
  • This is a selective medium for the isolation of Burkholderia cepacia. The base contains Bile Salts and Crystal Violet as selective agents and Ticarcillin and Polymixin B are added as additional supplements to further improve the selectivity particularly inhibition of most Pseudomonas spp.
  • Burkholderia cepacia agar base is a selective medium for the detection and isolation of Burkholderia cepacia from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. This is an important opportunistic pathogen in CF patients and can lead to fatal infection in approximately 20% individuals that have been colonised with B. cepacia complex organisms. This medium is based on the PC medium described by Gilligan et al. Magnesium sulphate, ammonium sulphate and ferrous ammonium sulphate supports the growth of B. cepacia. Potassium di-hydrogen phosphate and di-sodium hydrogen phosphate are buffering agents, used to maintain the pH the medium. The phenol red is used as a pH indicator. If the sodium pyruvate in the medium is metabolised by B. cepacia alkaline by-products are produced which raises the pH. This causes the colour of the medium to turn pink/red around sections of heavy growth on the medium. Bile salts and crystal violet are selective agents. The associated selective supplement for this medium, LS0125, contains ticarcillin and polymyxin B which further improves the selectivity, particularly with the inhibition of Pseudomonas spp. Related Supplements : LS0125 B.cepacia Selective Supplement, LS0026 Pseudomonas CFC Selective Supplement
  • Camplobacter (CCDA) Selective Supplement E&O Laboratories Ltd Campylobacter (CCDA) Selective Supplement (LS0010) is an antibiotic supplement used to enhance the selective isolation of Campylobacter spp. from clinical, food and environmental samples.  
  • Campylobacter (Skirrow) Selective Supplement E&O Laboratories Ltd Campylobacter (Skirrow) Selective Supplement (LS0009) is a supplement used to enhance the selective isolation of Campylobacter spp. primarily from clinical specimens.
  • This is one of several selective media available for the isolation of Campylobacter spp. in clinical, food and environmental laboratories. Campylobacter agar base is based on the formulation from Bolton and Robertson. The peptone is the source of the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance in the medium. The medium is enriched with lysed horse blood and made selective by the addition of cefoperazone, to suppress other enteric organisms, and amphotericin to suppress yeast and fungal growth (Preston supplement LS0010). Related Supplements : LS0009 Campylobacter (Skirrow) Selective Supplement, LS0010 Campylobacter (Preston) Selective Supplement, Lysed Blood
  • This medium is designed for the selective isolation of Campylobacter spp., particularly C. jejuni and C. coli , which are major causes of gastrointestinal infection. Campylobacter Blood Free Agar CCDA was formulated to allow replacement of blood with a combination of charcoal, ferrous sulphate, and sodium pyruvate. Selectivity is achieved through the addition of broad spectrum cefoperazone and amphotericin B to inhibit fungi. Inoculated plates are incubated at 41.5°C to improve growth of the thermophilic species including C. jejuni and C. coli. Campylobacter Blood Free Agar CCDA is recommended for food testing in compliance with the requirements of ISO 10272- 1:2017(1) . It can also be used for isolation of Campylobacter spp. from clincal specimens such as faeces(2,3). 1. ISO 10272-1:2017. Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs – Horizontal method for detection and enumeration of Campylobacter spp. – Part 1: Detection method. 2. Public Health England. (2014). Investigations of Faecal Specimens for Enteric Pathogens. UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations. B 30 Issue 8.1. 3. Public Health England. (2018). Identification of Campylobacter species. UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations. ID 23 Issue 3.1.
  • Campylobacter Blood Free CCDA Agar One of several media formulations available for the selective isolation of Campylobacter spp., primarily C.jejuni and C.coli, which are the leading cause of enteric illness in the UK. Campylobacter spp. can cause mild to severe diarrhoea, usually self-limiting, but some specific serotypes can trigger acute post-infective conditions affecting the peripheral nervous system, such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Campylobacter Blood-Free Selective Medium (CCDA) was first described by Bolton. This medium was formulated to replace blood with a combination of charcoal, ferrous sulphate, and sodium pyruvate. Also, in order to improve selectivity, Cefoperazone replaced the Cephazolin utilised in the original formulation. Bolton recommended incubating inoculated plates at 37°C to improve isolation rates but incubation at 41.5°C is recommended for the isolation of the commonly encountered thermophilic species (C.jejuni & C.coli). Yeast and fungal contaminants can be suppressed with the addition of Amphotericin B. Campylobacter Blood-Free Selective Medium (CCDA) is recommended for food testing. Campylobacter Blood-Free Selective Medium with the addition of Yeast Extract and Cefoperazone is used in the Isolation of Campylobacter species from foodstuffs and swabs in the FDA/BAM Method. The product complies with the requirements of ISO 10272-1:2006.
  • Campylobacter Blood-Free Selective Medium (CCDA) is one of several media formulations available for the selective isolation of Campylobacter spp., primarily C. jejuni and C. coli. CCDA was described by Bolton et al. and formulated to replace blood with a combination of charcoal, ferrous sulphate, and sodium pyruvate. CCDA is recommended for food testing. CCDA with the addition of yeast extract and cefoperazone is used in the isolation of Campylobacter spp. from foodstuffs and swabs in the FDA/BAM method. This product complies with the requirements of ISO 10272-1:2006. Bolton et al. recommended incubating inoculated plates at 37°C to improve isolation rates but incubation at 41.5°C is recommended for the isolation of the commonly encountered thermophilic species (C. jejuni and C. coli). The meat peptone, beef extract and tryptone provide the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins. Bacteriological charcoal absorbs toxic compounds and metabolites. Ferrous sulphate and sodium pyruvate are oxygen scavengers. Sodium desoxycholate is a selective agent. Through the addition of campylobacter (Preston) supplement (LS0010), which consists of cefoperazone and amphotericin B, enteric flora is suppressed. Related Supplements : LS0010 Campylobacter (Preston) Selective Supplement
  • This is one of a number of selective enrichment broths that can be used in the isolation of Campylobacter spp from clinical, food and environmental specimens and contains nutrients to aid in the resuscitation of damaged organisms. The medium is enriched with Lysed Horse Blood and made selective by the inclusion of Vancomycin, Cefoperazone, Trimethoprim and Amphotericin B. Following incubation at 37ºC the broth is usually sub-cultured onto an appropriate solid Campylobacter medium.
  • Campylobacter Growth Supplement E&O Laboratories Ltd Campylobacter Growth Supplement (LS0011) is a supplement used to enhance the isolation and aerotolerance of Campylobacter spp and can be used in both solid and liquid media and generally used in conjunction with media prepared to Skirrow, Butzler or Preston formulations.
  • Campylobacter Selective Agar Preston Supplement This is one of several selective media available for the isolation of Campylobacter spp in clinical, food and environmental laboratories. The medium is enriched with Lysed Horse Blood and made selective by the inclusion of Cefoperazone, to suppress other enteric organisms, and Amphotericin to suppress yeast & fungal growth.
  • Campylobacter Selective (Skirrow) Agar This is one of several selective media available for the isolation of Campylobacter spp in clinical, food and environmental laboratories. Based on Columbia Agar enriched with Lysed Horse Blood. Polymyxin B, Trimethoprim & Vancomycin are added as the selective agents. Sodium Thiosulphate, Pyruvic Acid and Ferrous Sulphate are also included to enhance the aerotolerance of Campylobacter spp. NB: This medium should be incubated at 42°C to optimise selectivity.
  • Cefotaxime Selective Supplement E&O Laboratories Ltd Cefotaxime Selective Supplement can be used with MacConkey Agar for the isolation of ESBL (Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase) producing organisms with the aim of simplifying the differentiation and presumptive identification of Lactose & Non-Lactose fermenting organisms. It should be noted that AmpC isolates may also be detected on this medium whilst non - ESBL organisms will be inhibited on this medium. Sodium Chloride is omitted from this medium to provide an electrolyte deficient medium that prevents Proteus spp. from spreading.
  • KM0052

    CEMO Agar

    This medium is based on the formulation published by Platt, Atherton & Simpson1 and is used for the cultivation of Taylorella equigenitalis, the causative organism in contagious equine metritis. It is routinely used for culturing swabs taken from the genitalia of mares and stallions. Enzymatic digest of casein and soy peptone supply nitrogen, carbon and vitamins and L-cystine is a required growth factor. Sodium chloride provides osmotic balance and sodium sulphite is present as a reducing agent. The medium is made selective by the addition of CEMO Selective Supplement (LS0041) to control bacteria and fungi from swab samples. References 1. Platt, H., Atherton, J. G. and Simpson, D. J. 1978. Equine Vet J 10, 153–159.
  • The principle use for this product is in the testing of disinfectants and antiseptics. In 1989, the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) set up a technical committee to produce harmonised test methods for disinfectants and antiseptics. The CEN standards provide a useful basis for disinfectant validation, and although alternative methods could be used for assessing disinfectant efficacy, following the same basic methods allows not only direct comparison between products but also comparison across various different laboratories. The adaptability of the methods - numerous validation studies based on the CEN methods have been accepted by both the European and US regulatory authorities - allows end- users to customise the methods to their specific requirements. Lecithin and polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) inactivate surface disinfectants (lecithin neutralises quaternary ammonium compounds and Tween 80 neutralises phenols, formalin, hexachlorophene and in combination with the lecithin ethanol). L-histidine, in combination with lecithin and Tween 80, neutralises aldehydes and formaldehyde generating agents. Sodium thiosulphate neutralises iodine and chlorine.
  • Cetrimide agar is a selective medium for the isolation and detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from pharmaceutical, clinical and cosmetic samples. The formulation is complaint with the requirements of the Harmonised USP/EP/JP. Detection is achieved using the unique ability of P. aeruginosa to produce the water soluble, bright green pigment pyocyanin. The production of this pigment is stimulated by the presence of magnesium chloride and di-potassium sulphate in the medium. The addition of glycerol (10ml/l) is required as this compound serves as an energy source. Cetrimide, a quaternary ammonium compound, is also present to suppress the growth of other Pseudomonas spp. as well as Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms. Pancreatic digest of gelatin provides the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins. Related Supplements :
  • Cetrimide Agar is intended primarily for use in the isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from pharmaceutical products and is recommended by the United States Pharmacopoeia for this purpose. The medium is made selective by the addition of cetrimide to inhibit the growth of most other organisms while allowing Pseudomonas aeruginosa/ and other Pseudomonas spp. to develop a classical colonial appearance, producing green pigmentation and fluoresce when examined under ultra violet light.
  • KM0185

    Charcoal Agar

    Charcoal agar is used for the cultivation of fastidious organisms, particularly Bordetella pertussis. Charcoal agar is prepared according to the formulation developed by Mishulow, Sharpe and Cohen. This medium is an efficient substitute for Bordet-Gengou agar in the production of B. pertussis vaccines and can be used as a maintenance medium for stock cultures of Bordetella spp. Beef extract and peptone provide the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance. Starch and charcoal help in absorbing toxic metabolites that are produced during growth of the organism. Nicotinic acid is an essential growth factor for the growth of Bordetella spp. The addition of cephalexin (LS0018) inhibits accompanying contamination in the samples. NB: This is a basic medium only and contains no additional supplement. If cephalexin is added, it should be noted, that although coliforms are inhibited by this medium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and some fungi will grow. Related Supplements : LS0018 Bordetella Selective Supplement
  • This is a medium intended for the cultivation and isolation of Bordetella pertussis & Haemophilus spp. The base medium contains Charcoal and is enriched with 10% Horse Blood. It can also be used as a maintenance or transport medium for these organisms.
  • Charcoal Agar with 10% Horse Blood & Cephalexin This is one of two media generally used for the selective isolation of Bordetella pertussis. The medium is made selective by the inclusion of Cephalexin, to suppress the unwanted naso-pharyngeal flora often present in specimens submitted for the isolation of Bordetella pertussis, and further enriched with 10% Horse Blood. NB: Although coliforms are inhibited by this medium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and some fungi will grow.
  • Chloramphenicol Selective Supplement (100mgs/L) E&O Laboratories Limited Chloramphenicol Selective Supplement (LS0050) is an antibiotic supplement used for the selective isolation of yeasts and moulds from food, environmental and clinical specimens.  
  • A highly nutritious medium used for the isolation and cultivation of fastidious microorganisms, especially Neisseria and Haemophillus species from a variety of clinical specimens. The media is further enriched with Suplex (Polyvitex) that provides vitamins, amino acids, co-enzymes, glucose and other factors which improve the growth of Neisseria and Haemophillus species.
  • A highly nutritious medium enriched with Horse Blood, where the blood has been “chocolated” by heating the medium to 60°C. Suitable for the isolation of most pathogens including the most fastidious and is particularly useful for the cultivation of Haemophilus spp. and Neisseria spp.
  • Chocolate Agar with 7% Horse Blood & Bacitacin A highly nutritious medium enriched with Horse Blood, where the blood has been ‘chocolated’ by heating the medium to 70°C. Suitable for the isolation of most pathogens including many fastidious organisms the addition of Bacitracin makes it is particularly suitable for the selective isolation of Haemophilus spp.
  • CHROMagar™ Candida Plus is the first chromogenic isolation medium for the detection and differentiation of C. auris in addition to other major clinical Candida spp. such as C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata. Candida spp. are yeasts involved in various infections called Candidiasis. These infections can be severe with significant morbidity in nosocomial infections or in immunocompromised patients. Although C. albicans is still the main species involved, the use of antifungal agents has given rise to other species such as C. tropicalis, C. krusei and C. glabrata. In 2016, WHO added C. auris to this list with over 90 % of strains resistant to fluconazole. CHROMagar™ Candida Plus allows for the recognition of minor candida species in a mixed population containing the predominant species, thereby allowing patient specific treatment plans to be formulated at the earliest possible opportunity. Most bacterial species will be inhibited due to the inclusion of the selective mix: C. albicans Green colonies C. tropicalis Metallic blue colonies C. glabrata Mauve to pink colonies C. auris Light blue colonies with blue halo E. coli Inhibited Limitations The final identification must be confirmed by biochemical tests or by mass spectrophotometry (eg MALDI-TOF). These can be done directly from the suspicious colonies observed on the medium.
  • Chromogenic coliform agar (CCA) conforms to the ISO 9308-1 guidelines for the detection, enumeration and isolation of coliforms and more specifically Escherichia coli in water samples by the membrane-filtration technique. The colonial differentiation is provided by the chromogenic substrates, Salmon-GAL and X-glucuronide. Salmon-GAL is used for the detection of ß-D-galactosidase enzymatic activity. X-glucuronide is used for the detection of ß-D-glucoronidase enzymatic activity. β-D-galactosidase, expressed by all coliforms, cleaves the Salmon-GAL substrate and producing red/pink coloured colonies. Unlike other coliforms, Escherichia coli cleaves both Salmon-GAL and X-glucuronide producing a violet/blue coloured colonies. Tryptophan is used to increase detection reliability by improving the indole reaction. The peptones, sodium pyruvate and sorbitol support bacterial growth and simple recovery of sub-lethal thermally injured coliforms. Sodium di-hydrogen phosphate and di-sodium hydrogen phosphate phosphate buffer the medium and sodium chloride is used to achieve osmotic balance. The selectivity is attained by the addition of Tergitol® 7 as it inhibits the growth of Gram-positive bacteria.
  • PP0080

    CLED Agar

    CLED Agar Mackey and Sandy’s formulation this medium is popular for Urine Culture in the clinical laboratory. The lack of electrolytes inhibits the spreading of Proteus spp. and Bromothymol Blue indicator allows easy differentiation of Lactose and Non-Lactose fermenting organisms. Cystine is also present to benefit those organisms that have a particular Cystine requirement. Streptococcus pyogenes and many other fastidious organisms that do not require the presence of blood can grow on this medium.
  • CLED Agar (Bevis) A modification by Bevis of the original CLED medium of Mackey & Sandys. This formulation uses a double indicator system (Andrade’s (Acid fuchsin) and Bromothymol blue) to improve differentiation of Lactose and Non-lactose fermenting organisms. The lack of Sodium Chloride also prevents the swarming of Proteus spp.
  • KM0005

    CLED DI Agar

    Bevis modified Mackey and Sandy’s original medium by introducing a double indicator to improve the differentiation of lactose and non-lactose fermenting coliforms, staphylococci and streptococci spp. Cystine Lactose Electrolyte Deficient Double Indicator (CLED DI) is popular for urine culture in the clinical laboratory. The reduced number of electrolytes prevents swarming of Proteus spp. The peptone and beef extract is the source of the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins. Lactose is a carbohydrate. The inclusion of bromothymol blue and Andrade’s as indicators allows easy differentiation of lactose and non-lactose fermenting organisms. L-Cystine is also present to benefit those organisms that have a particular cystine requirement. Streptococcus pyogenes and many other fastidious organisms that do not require the presence of blood can grow on this medium.  
  • KM0004

    CLED SI Agar

    CLED SI Agar Cystine Lactose Electrolyte Deficient Single Indicator (CLED SI) Agar is based on Mackey and Sandy’s formulation and is popular for culturing urine specimens in the clinical laboratory. The reduced number of electrolyte level prevents swarming of Proteus spp. The peptone and beef extract is the source of the required nitrogen, carbon and vitamins. Lactose is a carbohydrate. The inclusion of bromothymol blue as a pH indicator allows easy differentiation of lactose and non-lactose fermenting organisms. L-Cystine is also present to benefit those organisms that have a particular cystine requirement.  
  • Clostridium difficile agar, when supplemented, is used for the isolation of C. difficile from samples. This formulation is a modification of CCFA (Cycloserine-Cefoxitin-Fructose agar) developed by George et al. The proteose peptone act as carbon, nitrogen and vitamin source in this medium. Fructose is a fermentable carbohydrate. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance of the medium. Disodium hydrogen phosphate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate are buffering agents. The magnesium sulfate acts as a source of inorganic ions and the agar is the solidifying agent. This media requires the addition of defibrinated horse blood and Clostridium difficile selective supplement (LS0022).
  • Clostridium difficile Selective Supplement E&O Laboratories Ltd Clostridium Difficile Selective Supplement (LS0022) is an antibiotic supplement used to enhance the isolation of Clostridium difficile from faecal specimens.  
  • E&O Laboratories Ltd Clostridium perfringens (TSC) Selective Supplement (LS5005) is an antibiotic supplement used to enhance the selective isolation of Clostridium perfringens from clinical specimens and foodstuffs.
  • Colorex 0157 with Cefixime & Tellurite This medium replaces the conventional Sorbitol MacConkey Agar that is reputed for high levels of false positives and the difficulty of colonial interpretation and differentiation. Colorex O157 is a chromogenic medium with a very high specificity (98% according to K.A. Bettelheim, 1998 J.Appl.Microbiol.85:425-428) for E.coli O157. To reduce the level of background flora, the medium is made selective by the addition of Cefixime and Potassium tellurite. Positive colonies exhibit a mauve colouration enabling easy interpretation amongst blue or colourless colonies of other bacteria.
  • Side One: Colorex™ MRSA Colorex™ MRSA is a chromogenic medium for the selective isolation of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The medium can be used for the routine screening of clinical specimens for MRSA from a variety of sampling sites such as the nose, throat and groin. The medium incorporates a nutritious peptone base medium and a number of selective agents to inhibit most Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as yeasts and moulds. The chromogenic detection of specific enzyme activity leads to the formation of pink/mauve colonies indicating MRSA (including low level resistant and hetero-resistant strains) following incubation at 37°C for 18-24 hours. Other organisms, if present are indicated by blue or colourless colonies. Any presumptive isolates must be confirmed using serological and/or biochemical techniques available to the laboratory. The use of this chromogenic medium does not diminish the requirement for conventional antimicrobial susceptibility tests for the confirmation of methicillin resistance. Limitations S.aureus strains that possess a low MIC to the selective agent present in the medium but are mec A negative may form colonies on the medium. Some MRSA strains may form typical colonies surrounded by a matte halo. The formation of the halo serves no diagnostic function. 1. Certain methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) may produce characteristic colonies. In some cases differentiation may be achieved by examination of the colour of these colonies, as they may be considerably darker in colour (bluish purple to a very dark pink/magenta) Certain bacterial species other than staphylococci may produce colonies with a characteristic colour Side Two: Colorex™ VRE Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus/ (VRE) infections are especially aggressive and have been associated with mortality rates approaching 60% to 70%. They are now the second-leading cause of nosocomial infections in the U.S., and their prevalence is increasing worldwide. Resistance to vancomycin has the potential to be transferred from bacteria to bacteria. Cross-resistance is mediated by plasmids and transposons, which may transfer the genes associated with resistance to other much more aggressive pathogens, such as staphylococci and streptococci. Three principal types of vancomycin resistance are found in Enterococcus spp.; VanA, VanB and VanC genotypes. VanA and VanB types account for most significant infections in clinical settings, involving E.faecium and E.faecalis. VanC resistance is a low-level intrinsic resistance found in other Enterococcus spp. The Colorex™ VRE media is another chromogenic media in the Colorex™ range, enabling presumptive identification of vancomycin resistant Enterococci by the formation of mauve/pink coloured colonies (for VanA and VanB genotypes) and blue coloured colonies (for VanC genotypes) after 18-24 hours incubation.
  • Side One: Colorex mSuperCARBA™ Colorex mSuperCARBA™ is a selective chromogenic medium that has been developed for the detection and isolation of carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE). Nosocomial infections due to CPE are particularly difficult due to the limited treatment options. Therefore, this medium is designed to simplify the detection of CPE carriers and to allow for improved monitoring of high risk patient groups. The distinctive colonial colouration of the various species can reduce the need for additional follow up testing allowing many positive results to be issued within 24 hours of receipt of the sample. All presumptive positive colonies should be confirmed for carbapenemase production. Typical colour reactions are as follows – Escherichia coli – Red/Pink colonies Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., & Citrobacter spp. – Metallic blue colonies Other CP Gram –ve bacterial species (including Pseudomonas / Acinetobacter) – Colourless colonies Non-CPE Gram-ve bacterial species - Inhibited Gram +ve bacterial species & yeasts – Inhibited Side Two: Colorex C3GR (Opaque) Colorex C3GR is a chromogenic screening medium for the detection of β-Lactamase producing Gram-negative bacteria in clinical specimens. The selectivity of the medium allows for detection of ESBL and/or AmpC producing isolates that exhibit a reduced susceptibility to 3rd generation cephalosporin antibiotics. The chromogenic reactions allow for species differentiation on presumptive positive isolates. Typical colour reactions are as follows – C3GR E.coli – Red colonies C3GR Klebsiella / Enterobacter / Citrobacter – Metallic blue colonies C3GR Proteus – Colonies with brown halo Other C3GR Gram –ve bacterial species (Pseudomonas / Acinetobacter) – Colourless colonies C3G Sensitive Gram –ve bacterial species - Inhibited Gram + bacterial species - Inhibited Yeasts - Inhibited