BD 231552 - Taxo A Bacitracin Disc for Presumptive Group A Streptococci Differentiation, 10 Cartridges, 10/PK (Must be Kept Refrigerated; Ships on Ice; Next Day Delivery) (Temp Sensitive; Non-Returnable) (Continental US Only)

BD 231552 - Taxo A Bacitracin Disc for Presumptive Group A Streptococci Differentiation, 10 Cartridges, 10/PK (Must be Kept Refrigerated; Ships on Ice; Next Day Delivery) (Temp Sensitive; Non-Returnable) (Continental US Only)

The BD 231552 Taxo A Disc, Bacitracin is an in vitro diagnostic microbiology product used for the presumptive identification of Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci based on susceptibility to a low level of bacitracin. It is designed for use by trained laboratory professionals as part of bacterial differentiation workflows, not as a therapeutic antibiotic susceptibility test.

BD identifies SKU 231552 as the BD BBL Taxo A Bacitracin Disc, supplied as 10 cartridges, with each GTIN 00382902315520 and shelfpack GTIN 30382902315521. BD lists a shelf life of 548 days for this product.

Fisher Scientific describes Taxo A discs as impregnated with approximately 0.04 units of bacitracin per disc and intended for differentiating Group A Streptococci. Fisher also states that Taxo A discs are not for susceptibility testing and should be stored at -20C to +8C.

Key Benefits

• Supports presumptive identification of Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci in clinical microbiology workflows.
• Low-level bacitracin disc format helps laboratories differentiate susceptible Group A streptococci from other beta-hemolytic streptococci.
• Each disc is impregnated with approximately 0.04 units of bacitracin. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
• Cartridge format supports organized dispensing and routine laboratory use.
• BD 231552 is supplied as 10 cartridges for laboratory inventory planning. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
• Useful as a quick screening aid when used with pure cultures and appropriate quality control organisms.
• Designed for in vitro diagnostic use by trained laboratory professionals.
• Clear distinction from antibiotic susceptibility testing helps reduce misuse in clinical interpretation.

Compatibility and Applications

The BD 231552 Taxo A Bacitracin Disc is intended for microbiology laboratories performing presumptive differentiation of Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. It should be used with appropriate culture media, pure culture isolates, quality control organisms, and laboratory procedures specified in the product instructions and validated facility protocols.

Typical settings include hospital microbiology laboratories, reference laboratories, public health laboratories, academic microbiology programs, clinical diagnostic laboratories, and research environments that perform streptococcal differentiation testing.

BDs Taxo A disc instructions state that the discs are intended for use with pure cultures and are not for use directly with clinical specimens or sources containing mixed flora. The package insert also states that Taxo A discs are not for susceptibility testing. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Usage Guidelines

• Use only by trained laboratory personnel following the manufacturers instructions, laboratory SOPs, and applicable biosafety requirements.
• Confirm that the isolate is appropriate for Taxo A presumptive differentiation testing before applying the disc.
• Use pure cultures rather than direct clinical specimens or mixed flora sources.
• Use appropriate culture media and quality control organisms according to the laboratorys validated protocol.
• Apply the bacitracin disc to the inoculated agar surface using aseptic technique.
• Incubate under the time, temperature, and atmospheric conditions specified by the laboratory procedure and product instructions.
• Interpret the zone of inhibition according to the current manufacturer instructions and laboratory criteria.
• Do not report Taxo A results as antibiotic susceptibility results.
• Discard used discs, culture plates, and contaminated materials according to microbiological waste and biosafety procedures.

Certifications, Safety Standards, and Regulatory Approvals

The BD 231552 Taxo A Disc is an in vitro diagnostic laboratory product within BDs Taxo differentiation disc and strip portfolio. BD lists the product as BD BBL Taxo A Bacitracin Disc, 10 cartridges, with a 548-day shelf life. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Fisher Scientific lists the product application as differentiating Group A Streptococci, with bacitracin as the antimicrobial agent and a 0.04U concentration. The same listing identifies the product as for in vitro diagnostic use. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Healthcare and laboratory facilities should verify current labeling, instructions for use, expiration dating, lot information, storage requirements, quality control requirements, and regulatory status directly through BD, CIA Medical, or an authorized distributor before implementation.

Comparison with Competitor Products

The BD 231552 Taxo A Disc is best compared with bacitracin differentiation discs from microbiology suppliers such as Hardy Diagnostics, Thermo Fisher, Remel, Oxoid, and other clinical laboratory manufacturers. Compared with general antimicrobial susceptibility discs, Taxo A discs are intended for presumptive organism differentiation, not therapeutic susceptibility reporting.

Compared with BD 231042, which is listed as a single-cartridge Taxo A Bacitracin Disc option, BD 231552 provides the 10-cartridge configuration for laboratories that require larger inventory quantities. BD also lists BD 231041 as a 6-vial Taxo A Bacitracin Disc alternative, giving laboratories different format options while maintaining the same 548-day listed shelf life across these related products. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Compared with optochin discs, which are commonly used in pneumococcal differentiation workflows, Taxo A bacitracin discs are specifically aligned with presumptive Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci differentiation. Laboratories should select the correct disc based on organism group, test method, and interpretive criteria.

Typical User Profile and Application Scenarios

The typical users of BD 231552 include microbiologists, medical laboratory scientists, clinical laboratory technologists, infectious disease laboratory personnel, public health laboratory staff, and trained microbiology researchers.

This product is especially useful in workflows involving beta-hemolytic streptococcal isolates where presumptive Group A differentiation is required. Common use cases include throat culture workups, clinical microbiology isolate screening, teaching laboratory demonstrations, and routine bacteriology differentiation protocols when supported by current laboratory policy.

Best Practices for Use and Maintenance

• Store unopened and opened product according to BD labeling and laboratory storage requirements.
• Maintain the product at -20C to +8C unless current manufacturer labeling states otherwise. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
• Allow containers to come to room temperature before opening when directed by the instructions to reduce moisture exposure.
• Keep cartridges tightly closed when not in use.
• Use the oldest unexpired stock first and discard expired discs.
• Do not use discs that appear damaged, contaminated, wet, or improperly stored.
• Perform quality control testing with appropriate control organisms according to laboratory policy.
• Document lot numbers, expiration dates, storage conditions, and QC results according to laboratory accreditation requirements.
• Train staff to distinguish Taxo A differentiation testing from antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Regulatory and Safety Information

The BD 231552 Taxo A Disc is intended for in vitro diagnostic laboratory use only. It should not be used for patient treatment decisions as an antibiotic susceptibility disc, and it should not be applied directly to patient specimens or mixed cultures unless specifically permitted by validated laboratory procedure.

All bacterial cultures and used materials should be treated as potentially infectious. Laboratory personnel should follow standard microbiological practices, wear appropriate personal protective equipment, use aseptic technique, and sterilize or dispose of contaminated plates, discs, and materials according to facility biosafety and regulated medical waste procedures.

How to Order

Select the BD 231552 Taxo A Disc, Bacitracin and add it to your cart. Complete checkout with your preferred shipping and payment options. For bulk orders, quotes, availability confirmation, temperature-sensitive shipping questions, or further assistance, contact CIA Medical customer service at (312) 275-5850 or use the contact form on this page.