BLOOD FREE CAMPYLOBACTER SELECTIVITY AGAR BASE

Campylobacters are carried in the intestinal tract of animal and therefore contaminate foods of animal origin. Campylobacter causes intestinal upset or abortion in animals. It is also one of the most important causes of human gastroenteritis, particularly in children. Initially blood was used in the isolation of Campylobacter. But, later it was reported by Bolton et al that charcoal can be effectively used in place of blood. This rules out the variability obtained due to the use of blood.
Blood Free Campylobacter Selectivity Agar Base formulated as per APHA and recommended by the ISO Committee is used for selective isolation of Campylobacter species. Cephalothin in the original formulation was replaced by Cefoperazone as the selective agent since the latter gave better selectivity. Campylobacter species are highly resistant to cefoperazone, an antibiotic which effectively suppresses growth of Pseudomonas and Enterobacteriaceae. Addition of cefoperazone increases the selectivity of the medium. Due to this addition, the medium is also known as Campylobacter Charcoal Differential Agar (CCDA). Charcoal, sodium pyruvate and ferrous sulphate reduces the aero-tolerance of medium by quenching photochemically generated toxic oxygen derivatives.

for selective isolation and differentiation of Campylobacter species