Vol. 1, Issue 3 ‣ June 2024
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In 1968, Hektoen Enteric (HE) Agar was introduced by the Hektoen Institute of Chicago. HE agar is a selective and differential agar used for the culture of Salmonella and Shigella from patient stool samples. HE agar contains indicators of lactose fermentation and hydrogen sulfide production while possessing inhibitors to prevent the growth of Gram-positive bacteria.
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Unfortunately, HE agar also allows for the growth of Proteus which can lead to an abundance of false positives for Salmonella. It is because of this that Proteus has been given the name the “Great Imposter.” Proteus spp. are Gram-negative, saprophytic Proteobacteria and are therefore abundant in stool cultures. Many microbiologists over the years found themselves working “through the noise” that Proteus presented to try and find Salmonella cultures on traditional HE plates.
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In 2012, Hardy Diagnostics introduced HardyCHROM™ SS agar which was a chromogenic selective and differential medium for the detection and cultivation of Salmonella and Shigella. The color differentiation on the plate was meant to help labs save time through the color identification of the different species of bacteria. H₂S producing Salmonella would appear as large clear colonies with black centers while non H₂S producing Salmonella and Shigella would show as teal colonies. However, the problem of Proteus still persisted.
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Keep reading to find out how a groundbreaking discovery by Hardy Diagnostics revolutionized testing for Salmonella and Shigella.
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Product Spotlight:
HardyCHROM SS NoPRO™
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HardyCHROM™ SS NoPRO reduces time wasters by providing chromogenic differentiation of Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli while effectively eliminating Proteus.
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This innovative agar enhances laboratory efficiency by minimizing false positives, reducing the need for additional testing, and increasing specificity in detecting Salmonella and Shigella from stool samples.
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Also Available: Hektoen Enteric Agar
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Hektoen Enteric Agar (HE) is designed for the selective isolation and differentiation of pathogenic Gram-negative enteric bacteria, such as Salmonella and Shigella species.
Our product line includes pre-made culture media plates and the CRITERION™ dehydrated version, allowing the ability to prepare plates with ease.
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Find us at booth #5019 and mention you saw our newsletter.
Keep Calm and Streak On!
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Proteus bacteria are known for their unique swarming motility, where they rapidly move across surfaces in coordinated waves, forming distinctive concentric patterns.
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Proteus spp. produce a potent enzyme called urease, which breaks down urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, often leading to urinary tract infections by increasing the urine's pH.
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These bacteria are adept at forming biofilms on medical devices, making infections particularly challenging to treat due to increased resistance to antibiotics.
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The Proteus genus includes several species, with Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris being the most commonly associated with human infections, particularly in the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts.
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Catalog Spotlight: HardyCHROM™
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See our collection of HardyCHROM™ and culture media catalogs
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Prospective Evaluation of HardyCHROM™ SS NoPRO Agar for Salmonella and Shigella Isolation from routine stool culture.
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Since 1996, Hardy Diagnostics has been a pioneer of chromogenic media in the US.
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Choose from 250 standard formulas or request custom blending. Innovative packaging and reliability make CRITERION™ the logical choice for your laboratory.
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Megan Maloney Roesner, an award-winning journalist, marketer, and current Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Marketing Product Manager at Hardy Diagnostics, brings over 20 years of experience in brand management, healthcare marketing, and communications to her role:
"Welcome back to Clinical MICRObits! In this issue, we delve into the history and advancements of selective media, spotlighting Hardy Diagnostics' solutions for overcoming the challenges posed by Proteus spp. Learn about the innovative HardyCHROM™ SS NoPRO, which enhances the detection of Salmonella and Shigella by eliminating the interference from Proteus spp. Don't miss out on the full story and the brilliant discovery by our R&D team. Click to read more and stay informed with our latest updates and product innovations to support your laboratory needs."
If you have any suggestions for content, a comment, or a question, please contact Megan here.
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"A Culture of Service"
Hardy Diagnostics, 1430 West McCoy Lane, Santa Maria, CA, 93455, USA, +1.800.266.2222
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