Comparison of three media for agar dilution susceptibility testing of Bordetella pertussis using six antibiotics.

Since antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the fastidious species Bordetella pertussis is not standardized, the most suitable medium for agar dilution testing of this species has not yet been determined. In the present study, Mueller-Hinton, Bordet-Gengou, and Oxoid charcoal agars (each supplemented with 5% horse blood) were evaluated for agar dilution susceptibility testing of Bordetella pertussis against ampicillin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, erythromycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Mueller-Hinton agar was the most suitable medium.