KM0015 Legionella Agar Base is the base for media used in the isolation of Legionella species from clinical, water and environmental samples and is tested in accordance with ISO 11133:2014.
Legionella Agar, initially known as F-G agar, was modified by Feely et al. by replacing starch with charcoal, and casein hydrolysate with yeast extract which resulted in better recovery of Legionella pneumophila. The medium requires supplementation with ferric pyrophosphate as a source of iron, L-cysteine, an essential amino acid for the growth of Legionella spp. and α-ketoglutaric acid, which acts as a growth stimulant. ACES buffer/potassium hydroxide is also added to maintain the optimal pH of 6.9 for growth of Legionella spp. Omission of the L-cysteine produces a confirmation medium that can be used to test presumptive Legionella spp. as isolates will not be able to grow.
Many variants of Legionella Agar can be created from KM0015 Legionella Agar Base by the addition of various supplements (GVPC is the most popular for water testing and BMPA for clinical testing).
