Brucella Selective Medium Base is for the isolation and identification of Brucella species. Pack size is 2.5KG

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease with a domestic animal reservoir. It is an occupational disease of veterinarians, microbiologists, farmers etc. The route of infections is genital, nasopharyngeal, gastrointestinal, conjunctival, respiratory and through abraded skin (1, 2). Brucellosis in humans has a variable incubation period, an insidious or abrupt onset and no pathognomic symptoms or signs. Brucella Agar was designed for cultivating Brucella species from diagnostic specimens. With the incorporation of blood or other nutritious substances, it facilitates the cultivation of variety of fastidious anaerobic organisms (3). However, Brucella Medium is supplemented with antibiotics to prevent overgrowth of other accompanying organisms. Brucella Agar Base w/ 1.0 % Dextrose was originally developed by Jones and Morgan (4) for preparations of serum-dextrose-antibiotic medium used for the isolation and cultivation of Brucella species. The medium contains beef heart infusion and tryptose, which facilitates cultivation of variety of fastidious anaerobic organisms; by providing essential nutrients. Gelatin serves as a source of nutrients. Glucose serves as source of energy. Addition of antibiotics (as FD) makes the medium highly selective for Brucella species. Ethyl violet and circulin, which were recommended initially, are no longer used (5). Directions: Suspend 21.75 grams in 500 ml distilled water. Heat to boiling to dissolve the medium completely. Sterilize by autoclaving at 15 lbs pressure (121°C) for 15 minutes. Cool to 45-50°C and aseptically add sterile 10 % v/v sheep blood and sterile 5% v/v inactivated horse serum (RM1239) (Inactivate RM1239 by heating at 56°C for 30 minutes). Also add rehydrated contents of one vial of Brucella Selective Supplement, (FD005). Mix well before pouring into sterile Petri plates.