Isolation of Mobiluncus species from clinical specimens by using cold enrichment and selective media.

New and selective Rlk and SA media, combined with cold enrichment at 4 to 5 degrees C, allowed isolation of Mobiluncus species from patients with bacterial vaginosis at higher rates than with conventional cultivation methods. Rlk medium consists of Columbia CNA agar supplemented with peptone, yeast extract, 5% laked rabbit or sheep blood, nalidixic acid, and tinidazole. SA medium consists of Columbia CNA agar supplemented with 2% rabbit serum, 1.6% laked rabbit or sheep blood, nalidixic acid, and tinidazole. Use of these selective media plus the cold enrichment technique permitted Mobiluncus species to propagate at rates similar to those of other anaerobic members of the vaginal flora.