Sabouraud agar
Sabouraud agar or Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) is a type of agar growth medium containing peptones.[1] It is used to cultivate dermatophytes and other types of fungi, and can also grow filamentous bacteria such as Nocardia.[2][3][4] It has utility for research and clinical care.
It was created by, and is named after, Raymond Sabouraud in 1892. The formulation was later adjusted by Chester W. Emmons when the pH level was brought closer to the neutral range and the dextrose concentration lowered to support the growth of other microorganisms. The acidic pH (5.6) of traditional Sabouraud agar inhibits bacterial growth.
Typical composition
Sabouraud agar is commercially available and typically contains:[5]
Medical usefulness
Clinical laboratories can use this growth medium to diagnose and further speciate fungal infections, allowing medical professionals to provide appropriate treatment with antifungal medications. Histoplasma and other fungal causes of atypical pneumonia can be grown on this medium.
References
- "Omnipresence of Microorganisms in the Environment". Archived from the original on 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
- Sandven P; Lassen J (November 1999). "Importance of selective media for recovery of yeasts from clinical specimens". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 37 (11): 3731–2. PMC 85742. PMID 10523586.
- Guinea J; Peláez T; Alcalá L; Bouza E (December 2005). "Evaluation of Czapeck agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar for the culture of airborne Aspergillus conidia". Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease. 53 (4): 333–4. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2005.07.002. PMID 16263232.
- About Modified Sabouraud Agar
- University of Sydney, Recipes.