Hektoen Enteric Agar (7138)
Intended Use
Hektoen Enteric Agar is specifically formulated for the isolation and differentiation of enteric pathogens, making it an essential medium in clinical laboratories for diagnosing gastrointestinal infections.
Product Summary and Explanation
Developed in 1967 by King and Metzger, Hektoen Enteric Agar stands out among enteric differentiating media by significantly enhancing the isolation rate of Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. This innovation was achieved by strategically increasing the carbohydrate and peptone content of the medium to mitigate the inhibitory effects typically presented by bile salts and indicators.
The formulation of Hektoen Enteric Agar is designed to subtly inhibit the growth of Salmonella and Shigella while effectively suppressing Gram-positive microorganisms. This selective growth environment is critical for the accurate isolation and differentiation of these pathogens, both of which are responsible for serious gastrointestinal illnesses.
Salmonellosis remains a significant global public health concern, often stemming from the consumption of contaminated food products. Infections caused by non-typhi Salmonella typically result in mild, self-limiting illnesses, whereas typhoid fever, attributed to S. typhi, can lead to severe complications such as fever, headache, and abdominal pain, and can potentially escalate to fatal respiratory, hepatic, or neurological damage.
In response to these health risks, federal guidelines in the United States mandate regular monitoring of poultry products in the market to ensure safety for human consumption. Hektoen Enteric Agar plays a vital role in various isolation protocols, proving indispensable in multi-step procedures aimed at detecting Salmonella spp. within food samples, reinforcing its importance in food safety and public health.
Key Features and Specifications
| Brand |
Code |
| Acumedia |
7138 |
| BD / Difco |
285340 |
| BD / BBL |
212211 |
| Oxoid |
CM0419 |
| Merck |
1.11681 |
