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Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment
Published on: September 14, 2013
Effective and reduced-cost modified selective medium for isolation of Clostridium difficile
Michelle M Nerandzic1, Curtis J Donskey
1Research Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|December 17, 2008
Summary
Researchers developed a cost-effective alternative medium, C. difficile brucella agar (CDBA), for culturing Clostridium difficile. This new medium demonstrates comparable sensitivity and selectivity to existing expensive options, aiding diagnostic testing and epidemiologic studies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Effective, economical, and accessible selective media are crucial for Clostridium difficile culture in epidemiologic studies and diagnostics.
- Existing selective media like cycloserine-cefoxitin-fructose agar (CCFA) are effective but costly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a reduced-cost selective medium for Clostridium difficile culture.
- To evaluate the sensitivity and selectivity of the novel medium compared to CCFA.
Main Methods:
- A modified agar medium, C. difficile brucella agar (CDBA), was formulated using an enriched brucella base and reduced sodium taurocholate concentration.
- CDBA and CCFA were compared using stool samples from patients with C. difficile-associated disease.
- A liquid formulation, C. difficile brucella broth (CDBB), was also assessed for spore germination and outgrowth.
Main Results:
- CDBA exhibited comparable sensitivity to CCFA for Clostridium difficile recovery.
- The frequency of microflora breakthrough growth was similar between CDBA (25%) and CCFA (31%).
- CDBB demonstrated rapid Clostridium difficile spore germination and outgrowth, similar to existing broth formulations.
Conclusions:
- C. difficile brucella agar (CDBA) and C. difficile brucella broth (CDBB) are sensitive and selective media for Clostridium difficile recovery.
- These novel media offer a reduced-cost alternative for clinical and research applications.
- The development supports improved accessibility for Clostridium difficile diagnostics and epidemiology.
