Pasteurella Agar Base is an non-selective medium capable of supporting the growth of Pasteurella spp. Pasteurella spp.are spherical, ovoid or rod-shaped cells 0.3-1.0μm in diameter and 1.0-2.0μm in length. Cells are Gram negative, and occur singly, or in pairs or short chains. Bipolar staining may be seen and capsules may be present. All species are non-motile, and are facultatively anaerobic.(1)
With further enrichment using 5-10% blood and selective antimicrobials, most Pasteurella spp. can be isolated. There is no haemolysis on blood agar for Pasteurella spp. and the organism will not regularly exhibit satellitism around colonies of Staphylococcus spp. The peptones act as carbon, nitrogen and vitamin sources in this medium. Sodium chloride maintains the osmotic balance and the agar is a solidifying agent. The medium is made selective through the addition of LS0057, Pasteurella agar selective supplement.
REFERENCE
(1) Standards Unit, Microbiology Services, PHE. 1995. UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations. Identification of Pasteurella species and Morphologically Similar Organisms. 3, 1-28.
