RAPID TECHNIQUE FOR THE ENUMERATION OF CLOSTRIDIUM PERFINGENS

A new medium, Tryptone-sulfite-neomycin (TSN) agar, and an incubation procedure for the enumeration of Clostridium perfringens are described. Tolerance to neomycin, optimal growth at 46 C, and sulfite-reducing properties of C. perfringens were used as a basis for development of the medium. Comparisons were made between sulfite-polymyxin-sulfadiazine (SPS) agar and TSN agar at 37 and 46 C with C. perfringens and other organisms. These studies indicate the quantitative and selective superiority of TSN agar, incubated at 46 C, over SPS agar.