Comparative studies among the Wilson and Blair medium, for isolating E. typhosa, and the Holt-Harris-Teague and the Calazans-Rangel Pestana media

Abstract

Tests were made to determine the comparative effectiveness of the following media for isolating Eberthella typhi present in the faeces of subjects convalescing from typhoid fever: Wilson and Blair's medium, in its original form and as modified by Loureiro and Tabet; Holt-Harris-Teague's eosin-methylene blue medium; and Calazans-Rangel Pestana's lactose-rosolic acid medium. The medium suggested by Tabet proved the most effective: 87,5% positive test as against 59,5% with the Holt-Harris-Teague and Calazans-Rangel Pestana media. In order to get these results, it was necessary to isolate atypical, but easily recognizable colonies, as well as typical ones.