Resumen

DIAZ PEREZ, Marilyn; RODRIGUEZ MARTINEZ, Claudio  y  ZHURBENKO, Raisa. Enterococcus, conventional and chromogenic culture media. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol [online]. 2013, vol.51, n.1, pp.97-110. ISSN 1561-3003.

The genus Enterococcus has been classified in different manners. At present, it is considered to be a separate type of Streptococcus. These microorganisms have gained considerable importance due to their high incidence in nosocomial infections, their antimicrobial resistance and their role as indicators of fecal contamination. A large number of culture media have been developed for different purposes related to this genus. These include conventional, as well as chromogenic and/or fluorogenic culture media, used in microbiology laboratories around the world for isolation and identification in clinical samples, water and some food products. Choice of a given medium is based on experience, sample type, culture method and degree of sample contamination with other organisms. Hence the importance of carrying out a bibliographic review of the subject. The purpose of this second bibliographic review was to collect information on the main culture media used for this genus, their operating principle and their main ingredients, highlighting the advantages of chromogenic and/or fluorogenic media, due to their greater speed, sensitivity and accuracy.

Palabras clave : Enterococcus; Streptococcus; chromogenic and fluorogenic media.

        · resumen en Español     · texto en Español     · Español ( pdf )