Thermo Scientific™ Oxoid™ Aeromonas Medium Base (Ryan) (Dehydrated)

The Thermo Scientific™ Oxoid™ Aeromonas Medium Base (Ryan) is a selective and diagnostic culture medium designed for the isolation and enumeration of Aeromonas hydrophila and other Aeromonas species from clinical and environmental specimens. When supplemented with Ampicillin Selective Supplement (SR0136), it offers enhanced selectivity for aeromonads while supporting the growth of other significant organisms like Plesiomonas spp.

Key Features

1. Selective and Diagnostic: Optimized to isolate Aeromonas spp. from complex clinical and environmental matrices.
2. Broad Utility: Supports growth of Aeromonas, Plesiomonas, and Enterobacteriaceae, enabling its use as a universal medium for enteric disease investigations.
3. Ampicillin Supplementation: Adding 5 mg/L of ampicillin enhances selectivity by inhibiting competing flora without suppressing aeromonads.
4. Versatility: Suitable for clinical, food safety, and environmental microbiology applications.
5. Dehydrated Format: Convenient for preparation, ensuring consistent and reproducible results.

Applications

• Clinical Microbiology: Detection of Aeromonas hydrophila from gastrointestinal and other clinical specimens.
• Environmental Monitoring: Enumeration of Aeromonas spp. in soil, untreated and treated water, and bottled water.
• Food Microbiology: Isolation of Aeromonas spp. in raw foods, including meat, poultry, fish, seafood, and raw milk.
• Research Studies: Investigations into the epidemiology of waterborne Aeromonas infections.

Background

The medium is based on the work of Ryan, who modified XLD medium to accommodate the growth of Aeromonas spp. and Plesiomonas spp. alongside Enterobacteriaceae. Aeromonas spp. are widely distributed in soil and water and are known to cause diseases in fish, amphibians, and humans. The primary source of human gastrointestinal infections caused by Aeromonas is the ingestion of contaminated water or raw food.

Performance Advantages

1. Enhanced Selectivity: Ampicillin at 5 mg/L suppresses competing organisms while preserving the growth of sensitive aeromonad strains.
2. Universal Utility: Effective as a general-purpose medium for enteric pathogen investigations.
3. Validated Use Cases: Recommended for tap water, bottled water, and food matrices, with superior performance over alternative formulae.
4. Regulatory Backing: Specified by the MAFF/DHS Steering Group on the Microbiological Safety of Food for clinical and environmental monitoring.

Preparation and Usage

1. Base Medium: Prepare as instructed on the product label by dissolving the dehydrated powder in distilled water.
2. Supplementation: Add Ampicillin Selective Supplement (SR0136) to achieve a final concentration of 5 mg/L.
3. Sterilization: Autoclave and allow to cool before pouring plates.

Storage and Stability

• Storage Conditions: Store the dehydrated medium at room temperature in a cool, dry place.
• Shelf Life: Refer to the product packaging for expiration details.

Safety and Handling

• Use appropriate protective equipment (gloves, lab coat) when handling the dehydrated medium and prepared plates.
• Dispose of used media and plates in compliance with local biosafety regulations.

The Oxoid™ Aeromonas Medium Base (Ryan), when supplemented with Ampicillin Selective Supplement, is an essential tool for laboratories tasked with isolating Aeromonas hydrophila and related species, ensuring reliable and high-performance results across various applications.