title: Shelf life of prepared Bordet-Gengou and Regan-Lowe agar plates for isolation of Bordetella pertussis.
abstract: The shelf life of prepared agar plates used for the isolation of Bordetella pertussis was studied. They contained Bordet-Gengou agar, Bordet-Gengou agar with cephalexin, Regan-Lowe agar, Regan-Lowe agar with cephalexin, or Regan-Lowe agar with both cephalexin and amphotericin B. Plates stored were compared to freshly prepared control plates for up to a maximum of 18 weeks. They were inoculated with clinical isolates of Bordetella pertussis, either in pure culture, or mixed with a defined oropharyngeal flora. Bordet-Gengou agar plates may be used, with proper storage at 4 degrees C in airtight-sealed plastic bags, for up to 10 weeks, Regan-Lowe agar plates for up to 14 weeks. Field studies are needed to substantiate our findings.
authors.affiliation: Bacteriological Laboratory, Leyenburg Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Ruijs
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Groenendijk
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biever
mesh_terms: D000362:Agar; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000494:pharmacology; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002506:Cephalexin / Q000494:pharmacology; D003470:Culture Media; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D000666:Amphotericin B; D000362:Agar; D002506:Cephalexin