Thermo Scientific™ Oxoid™ VCAT Selective Supplement

The Thermo Scientific™ Oxoid VCAT Selective Supplement is a specialized reagent used in the preparation of New York City (NYC) Medium, a culture medium specifically designed for the selective isolation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Its formulation enhances the growth of target organisms while inhibiting the growth of contaminants, making it an essential tool in clinical microbiology for gonococcal diagnostics.

Key Features and Details

1. Purpose

• Used for the preparation of New York City Medium in combination with GC Agar Base (Part No. CM0367B).
• Selectively supports the growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, while suppressing competing microbial flora.

2. Composition

• The VCAT Supplement contains specific antimicrobial agents that provide selective pressure to favor the growth of N. gonorrhoeae. These agents include:
  • Vancomycin: Inhibits Gram-positive bacteria.
  • Colistin: Targets Gram-negative organisms except N. gonorrhoeae.
  • Amphotericin B: Inhibits fungi.

3. Form

• Provided in a liquid form for easy preparation and incorporation into the base medium.

4. Compatibility

• Designed for use with GC Agar Base (CM0367B), which forms the foundation of NYC Medium.

5. Packaging

• Supplied in vials, with each vial supplementing 500 mL of base medium.
• Available in a unit size that supports laboratory workflows:
  • 10 vials per pack, sufficient for the preparation of 5 liters of medium.

6. Specifications

7. Applications

• Clinical Microbiology:
  • Used in diagnostic laboratories to isolate Neisseria gonorrhoeae from clinical specimens.
  • Essential for culturing gonococcal strains in sexually transmitted infection (STI) research.
• Research:
  • Supports microbiological studies involving the pathogenicity, resistance, and growth characteristics of N. gonorrhoeae.

Preparation Guide

1. Prepare GC Agar Base:
   • Follow the instructions for preparing GC Agar Base (Part No. CM0367B).
2. Add VCAT Supplement:
   • Reconstitute the vial contents if needed.
   • Add the supplement to 500 mL of prepared and sterilized GC Agar Base at the specified concentration.
3. Prepare New York City Medium:
   • Incorporate additional components, such as lysed horse blood or other required additives, depending on the protocol.
4. Sterilization:
   • Ensure aseptic conditions during preparation to prevent contamination.

Advantages

• Specificity: Enhances isolation of N. gonorrhoeae by suppressing unwanted microbial growth.
• Ease of Use: Pre-dosed liquid form simplifies preparation.
• Reliability: High-quality supplement ensures consistent performance across batches.
• Compatibility: Designed for seamless use with GC Agar Base to create NYC Medium.

The Thermo Scientific™ Oxoid VCAT Selective Supplement is an indispensable reagent for laboratories focusing on the selective isolation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Its carefully designed formulation and compatibility with GC Agar Base streamline the preparation of NYC Medium, ensuring high specificity and efficiency in diagnostic and research workflows.