AN EFFECTIVE, SELECTIVE MEDIUM FOR YERSINIA ENTEROCOLITICA CONTAINING SODIUM OXALATE

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Abstract
A medium (Y medium) is described which was more efficient for the isolation of Y. enterocolitica from experimentally infected [human] fecal specimens than deoxycholate citrate, McConkey, lactose-sucrose-urea (LSU) agar and Yersinia selective medium (Wauter''s medium). The Y medium consists of casein hydrolysate and peptone serving as carbon and energy sources. A high selectivity is achieved by its contents of sodium oxalate and bile salts. The oxalate suppresses growth of gram-negative rods, including members of the family Enterobacteriaceae and of Pseudomonas spp., while the bile salts inhibit growth of gram-positive bacteria. In the few instances coliform rods grew on the Y medium, they could easily be distinguished by their fermentation of lactose included in the medium. Colonies of organisms were surrounded by an opaque zone of precipitated bile salts. The most optimal condition for the isolation of Y. enterocolitica from stools was achieved by incubation of the Y medium at 29.degree. C for 2 days.

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