BSK-H Medium

Description

• Application: BSK-H medium is a standardized complex medium designed to support the growth of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. To standardize the procedure for isolating and culturing Lyme disease spirochetes, Pollack, RJ et. al. modified the composition of the medium generally used for this purpose (BSK-II) and developed a system for its distribution. This medium contains no gelatin or agarose, and various components are used in proportions that differ from those in BSK-II. Each of the major proteinacious components was screened by substitution in samples of the complete product. The final medium was evaluated for the capacity to grow related spirochetes including Borrelia burgdorferi N40, Guilford, and JD-1 as well as strains of Borrelia hermsii (HS-1) and of Borrelia coriaceae (CO53). Standardized medium, supplemented with prescreened rabbit serum, facilitates comparison of research results between laboratories and may eventually permit definitive clinical diagnosis of Lyme disease based on demonstration of the pathogen. The standardized medium is designated BSK-H.
• Preparation Note: 1. BSK-H Medium is supplied as a sterile-filtered liquid. After thawing, mix well by inverting the bottle prior to use. If the thawed medium will not be used within a few days it is recommended that the medium be refrozen in working aliquots to avoid repeated free-thaw cycles.2. Prior to use, we recommend that the medium should be supplemented aseptically with prescreened, sterile-filtered serum to a final concentration of 6%. (See note below)3. Other supplements may be added aseptically as desired. The nature of the supplement may affect storage conditions and shelf-life of the medium.NOTE: For best results, serum used to supplement the medium should be prescreened for its ability to support the growth of Borrelia burgdorferi. Prescreened, sterilefiltered Rabbit Serum [Product No. R7136] is available from Sigma.
• Recommended products: For best results, serum used to supplement the medium should be prescreened for its ability to support the growth of Borrelia burgdorferi. Prescreened, sterile filtered Rabbit Serum [Product No. R7136] is available from Sigma.