BAM VOGEL-JOHNSON Agar, Base

USP
Medium introducted by ZEBOVITZ et al. (1955) and modified by VOGEL and JOHNSON (1960) for the detection of
mannitol-positive staphylococci.

This culture medium complies with the recommendations of the Literature

United States Pharmakopeia XXVI (2003). Unted States Pharmacopeia XXVI, Chapter "Microbial Limit Tests" (2003).
Mode of Action VOGEL, R.A., a. JOHNSON, M.: A modification of the tellurite-glycine
medium for the use in the identification of Staphylococcus aureus.
The growth of accompanying bacteria is almost completely - Publ. Hlth. Lab., 18; 131-133 (1960).
inhibited by tellurite, lithium chloride and a high glycine ZEBOVITZ, E., EVANS, J.B., a. NIVEN, C.F.: Tellurite-glycine agar, a selective
concentration. The staphylococci may also be slightly inhibited, plating medium for the quantitative detection of coagulase positive staphy-
but this is compensated by the presence of mannitol and glycine. lococci. - J. Bact., 70; 686-690 (1955).
Mannitol also serves as a differentiation reactant as it is
degraded to acid by most pathogenic staphylococci; this reaction Ordering Information
is indicated by phenol red, which changes its colour to yellow. Product Merck Cat. No. Pack size
Pathogenic staphylococci also reduce tellurite to metallic
tellurium, thus their colonies turn black in colour. VOGEL-JOHNSON Agar, 1.05405.0500 500 g
Base
Typical Composition (g/litre) Potassium tellurite 1.05164.0100 100 g
Peptone from casein 10.0; yeast extract 5.0; di-potassium trihydrate
hydrogen phosphate 5.0; D(-)mannitol 10.0; lithium chloride 5.0;
glycine 10.0; phenol red 0.025; agar-agar 13.0.
Also to be added:
Potassium tellurite 0.24.
Preparation
Suspend 58 g/litre and let stand for 30 minutes. During
dissolving, agitate frequently (aprox. every 5 min). Swirl once
more prior to autoclaving. Autoclave (15 min at 121 °C). Prior to
use, add 0.24 g potassium tellurite/litre in the form of a filter-
sterilized solution at a temperature of about 50 °C, mix. Pour
plates.
! Do not heat the complete culture medium.
pH: 7.2 ± 0.2 at 25 °C.
! The complete culture medium can be stored in the
refrigerator for up to 1 week, whereas the prepared culture
VOGEL-JOHNSON Agar,
medium base can be kept for several months. black colonies; change of pH indicated by colour change to yellow
The plates are clear and red.
Experimental Procedure and Evaluation
Inoculate the plates massively.
Incubation: up to 48 hours at 35 °C aerobically.
Pathogenic staphylococci usually grow within the first 24 hours.

Appearance of Colonies Microorganisms

Small, black, sourrounded by Staphylococcus aureus
yellow zones

Small, gray-black, not sur- Staph. epidermidis, Proteus

rounded by zones hauseria (usually completely
inhibited) and others

502 Merck Microbiology Manual 12th Edition

 VOGEL-JOHNSON Agar, Base

Quality control
Test strains Growth / Recovery rate % Black colonies Colour change to yellow
Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 ≥ 40 + +
Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 ≥ 40 + +
Staphylococcus epidermidis poor / fair ± -
ATCC 12228
Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 11700 none / fair ± -
Proteus mirabilis ATCC 29906 fair / good + -
Micrococcus luteus ATCC 10240 none / poor
Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 none / poor
Pseudomonas aeruginosa none
ATCC 27853

Merck Microbiology Manual 12th Edition 503