Description
The genus Streptococcus is comprised of a wide variety of both pathogenic and commensal gram-positive bacteria, which are found to inhabit a wide range of hosts, including humans, horses, pigs and cows. They are facultatively anaerobic. Within the host, Streptococci are often found to colonize the mucosal surfaces of the mouth, nares and pharynx. However, in certain circumstances, they may also inhabit the skin, heart or muscle tissue. Streptococci are generally considered as fastidious organisms as they have exacting nutritional requirements. Columbia Agar formulated by Ellner et al. was designed to obtain luxuriant growth of various fastidious organisms. The media was rendered selective by the addition of selective agents, colistin (C) and nalidixic acid (NA). This supplemented Columbia Agar (with C & NA) exhibited luxuriant growth of fastidious organisms like Streptococci, Enterococci, and Staphylococci etc. on supplementation with sterile defibrinated sheep blood. Anaerobic CNA Agar Base is a modification of Columbia CNA Agar base with additional enrichment supplements i.e. vitamin K1 and hemin. Columbia CNA Agar Base is used for the selective isolation of anaerobic gram-positive cocci including Streptococci. Anaerobic CNA Agar plates should ideally be reduced prior to inoculation by keeping under anaerobic conditions for 18-24 hours. Samples can be directly streaked on the plates.
