BD 221801 - BBL Mueller Hinton Agar with 5% Sheep Blood Premium Culture Medium for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing, 24/BX
The BD 221801 BBL Mueller Hinton Agar with 5% Sheep Blood is a high-quality prepared culture medium specifically designed for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of fastidious and non-fastidious organisms. Enriched with 5% defibrinated sheep blood, this medium provides the necessary nutrients and growth factors to support organisms such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria species. Its consistent composition and controlled quality ensure accurate diffusion of antimicrobial agents for reproducible zone diameters in standardized disk diffusion assays such as the Kirby-Bauer test.
Key Benefits
The BD 221801 Mueller Hinton Agar with 5% Sheep Blood combines optimal growth support with accurate antimicrobial diffusion properties. The addition of 5% sheep blood enhances the growth of fastidious organisms without compromising the clarity of inhibition zones. Each lot is precisely formulated for pH balance, agar depth, and cation content to ensure reliable, reproducible results. The medium is pre-poured and ready to use, minimizing preparation time and reducing the risk of contamination in clinical and research laboratories.
Compatibility and Applications
The BD 221801 Mueller Hinton Agar with 5% Sheep Blood is compatible with a wide range of antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods, including CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) and EUCAST (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) guidelines. It is suitable for testing both fastidious organisms such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, as well as non-fastidious organisms like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The medium supports quantitative antibiotic diffusion for disk diffusion and Etest (MIC gradient strip) methods, ensuring consistency in clinical microbiology laboratories.
Usage Guidelines
To perform susceptibility testing, inoculate the surface of the BD 221801 Mueller Hinton Agar with 5% Sheep Blood using a standardized bacterial suspension equivalent to a 0.5 McFarland standard. Apply antibiotic disks aseptically using sterile forceps or a disk dispenser. Incubate the plates under appropriate atmospheric conditions (aerobic or 5% CO2) at 35C for 2024 hours, depending on the organism. After incubation, measure inhibition zones in millimeters and interpret results according to CLSI or EUCAST criteria. Store plates at 28C in their sealed packaging and allow them to reach room temperature before inoculation.
Certifications, Safety Standards, and Regulatory Approvals
The BD 221801 Mueller Hinton Agar with 5% Sheep Blood is manufactured in ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certified facilities, ensuring compliance with FDA and CE regulations for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) products. Each batch undergoes rigorous quality control testing for sterility, pH, performance with control strains, and diffusion uniformity. BD adheres to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards to guarantee consistent and dependable laboratory performance.
Comparison with Competitor Products
Compared to other susceptibility testing media, BDs Mueller Hinton Agar with 5% Sheep Blood delivers superior lot-to-lot consistency, enhanced optical clarity, and reliable antimicrobial diffusion. Competitor media often vary in cation concentration or blood quality, which can affect zone sizes and reproducibility. BDs strict formulation control ensures optimal growth support and accurate, reproducible results across all test runs. The superior performance and reliability make it a preferred choice for laboratories conducting high-volume AST procedures.
Typical User Profile and Application Scenarios
The BD 221801 BBL Mueller Hinton Agar with 5% Sheep Blood is designed for use by microbiologists, laboratory technologists, and infection control specialists. It is ideal for hospital microbiology departments, reference laboratories, pharmaceutical testing facilities, and public health institutions performing standardized susceptibility testing. Common use cases include testing beta-lactam and macrolide resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae, and broad-spectrum antibiotic susceptibility in Haemophilus and Neisseria species.
Best Practices for Use and Maintenance
Handle agar plates under aseptic conditions and avoid exposure to direct light or heat. Keep plates sealed until ready for use to maintain sterility and prevent desiccation. Always verify media performance using reference control strains, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae ATCC 49619 and Haemophilus influenzae ATCC 49247. Discard any plates showing contamination, desiccation, or discoloration. Dispose of used plates and biological materials following institutional biohazard waste procedures.
Regulatory and Safety Information
The BD 221801 Mueller Hinton Agar with 5% Sheep Blood is intended for professional in vitro diagnostic use only. It is non-toxic and safe to handle when standard microbiological safety practices are followed. Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, lab coats, and eye protection when handling specimens and culture materials. All used plates and cultures should be autoclaved or disinfected before disposal in accordance with local and institutional biosafety regulations.
How to Order
To order the BD 221801 BBL Mueller Hinton Agar with 5% Sheep Blood, add the product to your cart and complete your purchase through CIA Medicals secure online checkout system. For institutional or bulk orders, contact CIA Medical customer service at (312) 275-5850 or use the contact form on this page. Our representatives can assist with pricing, product availability, and technical documentation for your antimicrobial susceptibility testing needs.
