Selectively isolate and cultivate Mycobacterium spp
using Thermo Scientific™ Remel™ Lowenstein-Jensen (L-J) Medium, L-J Gruft, and L-J Mycobactocel
Medium consisting of congo red and malachite green dyes was formulated by Lowenstein to cultivate mycobacteria 1
This medium was modified by Jensen by replacing congo red with citrate and phosphate contents and increasing the malachite green concentration 2
L-J Medium used for recovery of pathogenic Mycobacterium spp
was found to be superior to other media tested, including ATS (American Trudeau Society) Medium 3,4
Selectively isolate and cultivate Mycobacterium spp
using Lowenstein-Jensen (L-J) Medium, L-J Gruft, and L-J Mycobactocel
Selective – Antibiotics in the medium make the medium selective for Mycobacterium while inhibiting contaminating bacteria
Ready to use – Convenience of prepared media
L-J Medium is a glycerated egg-potato medium
The glycerol and egg mixture provide fatty acids and protein required for the metabolism of mycobacteria
L-J Medium was modified by Gruft by adding ribonucleic acid as a growth stimulant and penicillin and nalidixic acid as selective inhibitors of contaminating bacteria 5
Ribonucleic acid increases the percentage of positive cultures over the standard L-J Medium
The selectivity of L-J Medium was increased by incorporating cycloheximide, lincomycin, and nalidixic acid and was formulated by Petran and Vera 6 .