Improved medium for storage and transportation of thermophilic campylobacters

A medium for storage and transportation of thermophilic campylobacter cultures was developed. The medium contains brucella broth with 0.16% or 0.3% agar, 5% human blood, a growth supplement which enhances aerotolerance and an antibiotic supplement. Using this medium all cultures tested were recovered after 48 days at 4 degrees C, 56 days at 37 degrees C and 32 days at room temperature. Some of the cultures even remained viable for up to three months at 4 degrees C and 56 days at room temperature. The blackening of the medium by H2S positive cultures offers an indication as to the biotype.