Thermo Scientific™ Oxoid™ XLD Agar (Dehydrated)

Thermo Scientific™ Oxoid™ XLD Agar (Dehydrated) is a selective and differential culture medium specifically designed for the isolation and differentiation of Salmonella and Shigella species from clinical specimens, food, and other samples suspected of harboring enteric pathogens. The medium leverages unique biochemical properties, including xylose fermentation, lysine decarboxylation, and hydrogen sulfide production, for effective pathogen identification.

Key Features

1. Selective and Differential Functionality:
   • Differentiates Salmonella (red colonies with black centers), Shigella (red colonies), and other non-pathogenic coliforms (yellow, opaque colonies).
   • Incorporates sodium desoxycholate, which inhibits coliform growth without compromising Salmonella or Shigella detection.
2. High Sensitivity and Selectivity:
   • Outperforms traditional media such as Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) and Bismuth Sulphite Agar (BSA) in isolating Shigella and Salmonella.
   • Superior recovery rates for enteric pathogens in mixed flora samples.
3. Applications:
   • Ideal for use in clinical diagnostics, food safety testing, and environmental monitoring.
   • Detects enteric pathogens in fecal samples, food products, or contaminated water.
4. User-Friendly Interpretation:
   • Distinct colony morphologies allow easy differentiation:
     • Salmonella: Red colonies with black centers due to hydrogen sulfide production.
     • Shigella: Red colonies.
     • Coliforms: Yellow, opaque colonies from carbohydrate fermentation.
5. Versatile Use:
   • Suitable for screening mixed flora in both medical and food safety contexts.
   • Provides reliable results across various sample types.

Specifications

Applications

1. Clinical Diagnostics

• Isolates Salmonella and Shigella from stool and other clinical specimens.
• Aids in diagnosing enteric infections caused by fecal-oral transmission or person-to-person contact.

2. Food Safety Testing

• Screens contaminated food products for Salmonella and Shigella pathogens.
• Ensures compliance with food safety standards by detecting potential sources of enteric illnesses.

3. Environmental Monitoring

• Monitors water sources or surfaces for enteric pathogens.
• Useful for public health surveillance and contamination risk assessment.

Advantages

1. Enhanced Sensitivity:
   • Effectively isolates enteric pathogens in mixed flora without inhibiting pathogen growth.
   • Exceeds performance of traditional agars like EMB and BSA.
2. Ease of Use:
   • Prepares 9.4 liters of medium from a single 500 g bottle.
   • Simple interpretation of colony morphologies.
3. Versatile Application:
   • Effective across multiple sample types, including fecal matter, food products, and environmental samples.
4. High Specificity:
   • Utilizes a unique biochemical basis for pathogen differentiation.

Preparation Instructions

1. Suspend 56.68 g of dehydrated medium in 1 liter of distilled water.
2. Heat with frequent agitation until completely dissolved.
3. Sterilize by autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes.
4. Allow to cool and pour into sterile petri dishes.

Storage and Stability

• Storage Conditions: Keep in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place.
• Shelf Life: Refer to the expiration date on the product label.
• For laboratory use only; not for diagnostic or therapeutic use in humans or animals.

Why Choose Thermo Scientific™ Oxoid™ XLD Agar?

• Proven Performance: Reliable results for isolation and differentiation of enteric pathogens.
• Cost-Effective: High yield from a single bottle.
• Global Support: Backed by the expertise of Thermo Scientific and Oxoid brands.

This product is an essential tool for laboratories engaged in the identification of Salmonella and Shigella species, ensuring superior accuracy and reliability for pathogen detection in diverse applications.