THE BLOOD-AGAR PLATE FOR SPORE-FORMING ANAËROBES

Abstract

The commoner spore-forming anaerobes (species of Clostridium) were grown on blood -agar poured plates in a Novy jar. Anaerobic conditions are secured by H2 replacement, or by combining this with alkaline pyrogallate. This "double method" is necessary to get satisfactory growth of the strict anaerobes. The results are given in the form of a key which separates the 12 anaerobes studied into 3 groups according to the effect on red blood cells under the conditions of culture, as follows (1) hemolytic (10 species): (2) green producing (1 species); (3) non-nemolytic (1 species). Other characters are used for differentiation of the species of the hemolytic group. The blood-agar plate as used is recommended: (1) for isolation and purification of cultures; (2) as an additional cultural method for identification; (3) as a rapid method of judging the significance and numbers of anaerobes in clinical bacteriology.