TRYPTONE SUCROSE TETRAZOLIUM AGAR BASE (TSTA)

Description

The Vibrionaceae are straight or curved, gram-negative rods, motile by polar flagella. Many strains require 2-3% sodium chloride for growth and are primarily inhabitants of aquatic environments. Of the 35 Vibrio species recognized, 12 have been implicated in gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal infections in man; the most important of these is cholera. The species most frequently isolated from clinical specimens are strains of Vibrio cholera, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio mimicus and Vibrio alginolyticus. Tryptone Sucrose Tetrazolium Agar is formulated in accordance with Kourany medium and is approved by ISO Committee for the isolation of Vibrio species, especially V. parahaemolyticus. Inoculate 25 grams of the test sample into 225ml of Salt Polymyxin Broth Base. Incubate at 35-37?C for 7 to 8 hours. After incubation, inoculate a loopful onto TCBS Agar & Tryptone Sucrose Tetrazolium Agar Base. Presumptive V. parahaemolyticus colonies are further confirmed by appropriate biochemical tests.