Comparison of media for isolation of salmonellae and shigellae from fecal specimens.

Five transport media, eight plating media, and three enrichment broth media for the isolation of salmonellae and shigellae were evaluated. Eight laboratories in widely separated regions of the United States participated in this evaluation by submitting 490 fecal specimens in the transport media provided. The results suggest that the newer transport media may not offer any advantage over the use of buffered glycerol-saline in the isolation of these enteric pathogens. Shigellae were best isolated by direct inoculation, whereas salmonellae were isolated in greater numbers after tetrathionate (without Brilliant Green) enrichment with subsequent culturing on the plating medium. The use of a variety of plating media is recommended for the recovery of a larger number of these enteric pathogens.