VANCOMYCIN SCREEN AGAR
CAT Nº: 1410
For the screening of enterococci resistant to vancomycin
FORMULA IN g/l
Peptic Digest of Casein
16.00 Disodium Phosphate
2.50
Brain Heart Infusion
8.00 Dextrose
2.00
Peptic Digest of Animal Tissue
5.00 FD & Yellow #5 Dye
0.56
Sodium Chloride
5.00 Bacteriological Agar
13.50
Final pH 7.4 ± 0.2 at 25ºC
PREPARATION
Suspend 52.5 grams of the medium in one liter of distilled water. Mix well and dissolve by heating with frequent
agitation. Boil for one minute until complete dissolution. Sterilize in autoclave at 121ºC for 15 minutes. Cool to 45-50ºC
and aseptically add 6.0 mg of Vancomycin. Homogenize gently and dispense into Petri dishes. The prepared medium
should be stored at 8-15°C. The color of the prepared medium is yellow.
The dehydrated medium should be homogeneous, free-flowing and pinkish beige in color. If there are any physical
changes, discard the medium.
USES
VANCOMYCIN SCREEN AGAR is used for the screening of enterococci resistant to vancomycin.
Peptic digest of casein, Brain heart infusion and Peptic digest of animal tissue provide nitrogen, vitamins, minerals and
amino acids essential for growth. Dextrose is the fermentable carbohydrate providing carbon and energy. Sodium
chloride supplies essential electrolytes for transport and osmotic balance. Disodium phosphate act as a buffer system.
FD & Yellow #5 Dye is inert and improve the visual identification in the medium.
Enterococci are known to be major causes of infections. Commonly, they infect the urinary tract, abdomen, and bile
tract. Enterococcus faecalis cause 80-90% of the infections produced by enterococci and Enterococcus faecium the
remaining 10-20% of the infections. Enterococci are the fourth cause of hospital infections and hence it is important to
know the adequate treatment. With this medium you can find out whether the enterococci are resistant or not to
vancomycin.
Incubate at 35 ± 2ºC and observe for 18- 24 hours
MICROBIOLOGICAL TEST
The following results were obtained in the performance of the medium from type cultures after incubation at a
temperature of 35 ± 2ºC and observed after 18-24 hours
Microorganisms
Growth
Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212
Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 51299
Inhibited
Good
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jen, Huycke and Gilmore. 1994 Clin. Microbiol. Rev.7:462
1
LABORATORIOS CONDA, S.A.
www.condalab.com
Moellering 1992. Clin. Infect. Dis. 14:1173
Emori and Gaynes 1993. Clin. Microbiol. Rev 6-428
STORAGE
25ºC
Once opened keep powdered medium closed to avoid hydration.
2ºC
2
LABORATORIOS CONDA, S.A.
www.condalab.com