CAMPYLOBACTER SKIRROW AGAR

Technical Data #1727a / 2000.09.25

Campylobacter Skirrow Agar is a selective solid medium used for the cultivation and isolation of Campylobacter jejuni from fecal specimens. Addition of antibiotics refrains normal stool flora overgrowth and enhances C. jejuni recovery.

FORMULA
in grams per liter purified filtered water

Casein Peptone	12,0
Meat Peptone	5,0
Yeast Extract	3,5
Beef Extract	3,0
Corn Starch	1,0
Sodium Chloride	5,0
Agar	13,5
Antibiotics
Vancomycin	0,010
Trimetoprim lactate	0,005
Amphotericin B	0,002
Polymyxin B	2500 units
Hemolyzed Sheep Blood	150 ml

pH 7.4 +/- 0,2 à 25º C

This approximate formula may be adjusted and/or enriched to obtain best results.

PRECAUTIONS
This medium is for IN VITRO diagnostic use only.

STORAGE
Store prepared media at 2-8º C protected from direct light and dehydrated powder, in a dry place, in tightly-sealed containers at 2-25º C. Antibiotics supplements (8745) are stable to up one year if stored at -20º C.

SIGN OF DETERIORATION
Media should not be used if the expiry date has passed. Prepared media should not be used if there are signs of contamination or deterioration (shrinking, cracking, evaporation or discoloration). Do not use dehydrated media if it is caked.

DIRECTIONS
Suspend 43 g in 850 ml of purified water. Heat with frequent agitation and boil for one minute. Sterilize at 121º C for 15 minutes. Cool to 45-50º C and aseptically add 150 ml of Hemolyzed Sheep Blood (4379) and 10 ml of Supplements Skirrow (8703). Dispense into sterile Petri dishes.

PROCEDURE
Prior to inoculate, the prepared media should be brought to room temperature.

1. Directly, inoculate plate as soon as possible with specimen and streak for isolation. If inoculation will be delayed, an Enteric Pathogen Transport Medium as EPT-100 should be used.
2. Incubate at 42º C under a reduced O₂ atmosphere for 48 hours.

QUALITY CONTROL
Results after 48 hrs at 42ºC

Organisms	ATCC	Growth
Campylobacter jejuni	33291	+
Escherichia coli	25922	- or partial
Proteus mirabilis	12453	- or partial
Streptococcus faecalis	29212	- or partial
Candida albicans	10231	- or partial

Colonies of C. jejuni will appear on Campylobacter Skirrow Agar as small, mucoid, flat or slightly raised, non-hemolytic translucent and gray. Some strains may vary from brown to tan.

LIMITATIONS OF METHOD
Since C. jejuni is thermophilic, plates should be incubated at, at least 42º C. This medium is only a part of the identification. Other tests may be required.

REFERENCES

1. Blaser, M.J., I.V. Berkowitz, FM. LaForce, J. Cravens, L.B. Reller, and W-L. L. Wang. 1979 Campylobacter enteritis: clinical and epidimiologic features. Ann. Intern. Med. 91: 179-185.
2. Karmali, M.A., P.C. Fleming. 1979 Campylobacter enteritidis CMA Journal. 120:1525-1532.
3. Lennette, E.H., Ballows, A., Hausler, W.J.Jr., and Shadomy, H.J. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 4th ed. 1985 Washington D.C.: American society for Microbiology.
4. Mac Faddin, Jean F., Media for Isolation-Cultivation-Identification-Maintenance of Medical Bacteria Vol.1 1985 Baltimore, MD. Williams & Wilkins.
5. N.C.C.L.S. Quality Assurance for Commercially prepared Microbiological Culture Media. N.C.C.L.S. Publication M-22-A Approved Standard 1990 Vol. 10 No.14.
6. Skirrow, M.B. 1977 Campylobacter enteritidis: a "new" disease. Br. Med. J. 2:9-11.

CATALOGUE NUMBERS

Dehydrated media	500 g	QB-39-1005
Skirrow Supplement	10x5 ml	8703
Hemolysed Sheep Blood	150 ml	4379
Prepared media
Plates, 100x15 mm	10/pkg	1727
Mono-Plates, 100x15 mm	10/pkg	1727M
Enteric Pathogen Transport, Vial	100/cs	EPT-100
Campylobacter Skirrow Kit	6x1 L.	QB-KT-0112

2331, Dandurand	Phone	Fax	Internet
Montreal (Quebec)	(514) 277-2558	(514) 277-4714	http://www.quelab.com
Canada H2G 3C5	1 (800) 579-0998	1 (800) 579-8177	info@quelab.com