Improved medium for detecting deoxyribonuclease-producing bacteria.

Abstract

Incorporation of methyl green dye into an agar medium containing deoxyribo-nucleic acid results in an improved medium for detecting deoxyribonuclease-producing bacteria. Use of the dye makes it unnecessary to use acid to demonstrate deoxyribonuclease activity, thus allowing subculture or reincubation of colonies. The improved medium is highly sensitive and can be used for primary isolation of Staphylococcus aureus or group A Streptococcus pyogenes.