Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 30, 2026

Visualizing Bacterial Motility Based on a Color Reaction
04:44

Visualizing Bacterial Motility Based on a Color Reaction

Published on: February 15, 2022

Evaluation of 15 motility media and a direct microscopic method for detection of motility in enterococci

Kenneth Van Horn1, Clara Tóth, Reiko Kariyama

  • 1Microbiology, Westchester Medical Center, and New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York 10595, USA. vanhornk@wcmc.com

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|June 29, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Rapid detection of motile vanC enterococci is crucial. Specific motility media and a direct microscopic method accurately identified these strains, highlighting the need for careful medium selection in clinical settings.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Motile vanC enterococci are an emerging concern in healthcare settings.
  • Accurate and rapid detection methods for these pathogens are essential for infection control.
  • Enterococcal infections, particularly those with vanC resistance, require timely identification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of various motility media and a direct microscopic method for detecting motile vanC enterococci.
  • To compare the performance of 15 different motility media from three manufacturers.
  • To assess the speed and accuracy of a 2-hour direct microscopic detection method.

Main Methods:

  • Tested 89 enterococcal strains, including 72 vanC strains, using 15 motility media and a direct microscopic method.
  • Confirmed vanC resistance genes using multiplex PCR.
  • Incubated cultures at 30°C and observed motility within 72 hours.

Main Results:

  • Motility was detected in 72 vanC enterococci using specific motility media (BD Biosciences motility nitrate, Remel motility B, supplemented motility B, motility S, motility test, and motility test with tetrazolium).
  • A 2-hour direct microscopic method also successfully detected motility in vanC enterococci.
  • All Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium isolates tested were nonmotile across all methods.

Conclusions:

  • The selection of appropriate motility media is critical for accurate enterococcal motility detection.
  • Both specific motility media and a rapid direct microscopic method can effectively identify motile vanC enterococci.
  • Non-motility was consistent for Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium.

More Related Videos

Investigating Flagella-Driven Motility in Escherichia coli by Applying Three Established Techniques in a Series07:59

Investigating Flagella-Driven Motility in Escherichia coli by Applying Three Established Techniques in a Series

Published on: May 10, 2020

Preparation, Imaging, and Quantification of Bacterial Surface Motility Assays07:35

Preparation, Imaging, and Quantification of Bacterial Surface Motility Assays

Published on: April 7, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Microbial Growth Measurement: Direct Methods01:23

Microbial Growth Measurement: Direct Methods

Direct methods for measuring microbial populations in a culture are essential tools in microbiology, providing quantitative data for various applications. Among these, microscopic counts, plate counts, and serial dilution are widely used techniques, each with unique principles and applications.Microscopic CountsMicroscopic counting involves the use of a Petroff-Hausser chamber, a specialized microscope slide with a grid and defined depth. By observing a liquid culture under a microscope,...
Methods to Assess Microbial Populations01:30

Methods to Assess Microbial Populations

Assessing microbial populations is crucial for understanding microbial roles in health, ecology, and industry. Various complementary techniques—both culture-based and molecular—enable detailed analysis of microbial abundance, diversity, and function.Viable Plate CountThe viable plate count is a traditional culture-based method used to estimate the number of living microbes in a sample. After serial dilution, the sample is spread onto nutrient agar plates. Each viable cell forms a visible...
Special Staining Techniques01:13

Special Staining Techniques

Specialized staining techniques play a vital role in microbiology by enabling the visualization of specific bacterial structures that remain undetectable with standard microscopy methods. These techniques not only enhance the structural visualization of bacterial cells but also provide critical insights into their pathogenicity and classification. Additionally, they support diagnostic and research endeavors in microbiology by identifying key bacterial features.Capsule Staining for Virulence...
Flagella and Motility in Bacteria01:18

Flagella and Motility in Bacteria

Flagella are specialized, thread-like structures that extend from a bacteria's cell envelope. They play a crucial role in motility and chemotaxis. Their structural organization and functioning exemplify sophisticated biological engineering, enabling bacterial survival and adaptability in diverse environments.Structure of the FlagellumA bacterial flagellum consists of three key components: the filament, the hook, and basal body. The filament, a long, helical structure composed of repeating...