Brain Heart Infusion Agar | DM104D

Brain Heart Infusion Agar | DM104D
A versatile medium for the culture of fastidious organism

Brain Heart Infusion Agar is a solid medium suitable for the culture of a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts and moulds. It is especially useful for the isolation and culture of fastidious bacteria such as neisseria and streptococci.
With the addition of 10% sterile defibrinated blood, growth of Histoplasma capsulatum can be achieved. A selective medium for this organism and other pathogenic fungi such as Coccidioides immitis can be prepared by the further addition of antibiotics e.g. streptomycin and penicillin.3 Although Brain Heart Infusion Agar has been used in antibiotic disc susceptibility testing,4 it should be noted that the medium does contain sulphonamide inhibitors. A more
suitable medium for routine susceptibility testing is MAST D.S.T. Agar (Sulphonamide Antagonist Free) DM215.

2. Technical Formula*

3. Directions
1. Suspend by swirling 47g of powder in 1 litre or the contents of the sachet in the stated volume of distilled or deionised water.
2. Autoclave at 121ºC (15p.s.i.) for 15 minutes.
3. Cool to 50ºC and add 5-10% sterile defibrinated blood where required.
4. Antibiotics may also be added for selective culture techniques.
5. Mix well before pouring.