title: Comparison of different medium bases for the semiquantitative isolation of anaerobes from vaginal secretions.
abstract: Two studies were performed to determine the best medium for the isolation of anaerobes from vaginal secretions. In the first, three different medium bases (brucella, Centers for Disease Control [CDC], and Schaedler) were compared semiquantitatively for ability to support the growth of gram-negative anaerobes from vaginal fluid. Media were supplemented with laked sheep blood, kanamycin, and vancomycin. The brucella base agar formulation supported the growth of anaerobic gram-negative bacilli better than either the CDC or Schaedler base agar formulation. In a second study, nonselective brucella and CDC base sheep blood agar were compared for ability to support the growth of anaerobic gram-positive cocci. Anaerobic gram-positive cocci grew in higher concentrations on CDC base agar than on brucella base agar. On the basis of these observations, we recommend that a CDC base sheep blood agar be used for the nonselective plate and a brucella base plate supplemented with laked sheep blood, kanamycin, and vancomycin be used for isolation of gram-negative bacilli in studies of the anaerobic flora of the female genital tract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Medical School, New Orleans 70112.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sheppard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cammarata
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003470:Culture Media; D005260:Female; D006089:Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media