Comparison of Media for Direct Isolation and Transport of Shigellae from Fecal Specimens

Xylose-lysine-deoxycholate (XLD) agar, SS agar, and MacConkey agar for isolating shigellae from fecal specimens were compared. XLD agar was superior to both SS agar and MacConkey agar for isolating Shigella sonnei, and both XLD and SS agar were superior to MacConkey agar for isolating S. flexneri. Direct plating of the fecal specimens in the field resulted in a greater yield of shigellae as compared to transporting specimens to the laboratory either in holding media or enrichment broth. Buffered glycerol saline was superior to other transport media evaluated, yielding 83% of shigella isolates when plated within 48 hr as compared to direct plating. The combination of XLD agar and SS agar is recommended for direct isolation of shigellae, and, whenever possible, these solid media should be taken to the bedside and inoculated directly.