Brucella species: Culture Characteristics, Colony Morphology, and Hallmark Features

How to Subscribe
MLS & MLT Comprehensive CE Package
Includes 185 CE courses, most popular		$109Add to cart
Pick Your Courses
Up to 8 CE hours		$55Add to cart
Individual course$25Add to cart
The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Preliminary Identification of the Primary Select Agents of Bioterrorism. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

Learn more about Preliminary Identification of the Primary Select Agents of Bioterrorism (online CE course)
Brucella species: Culture Characteristics, Colony Morphology, and Hallmark Features

Culture Characteristics:
  • Slow growth on sheep blood agar (SBA) and chocolate (CHOC)
  • Growth in commercial blood culture systems, but may require extended incubation
  • Enriched atmosphere with CO2 may enhance the growth of some strains
  • If Brucella is expected or suspected, extend incubation up to seven days
Colony Morphology on SBA at 35oC:
  • Visible growth may take 48–72 hours
  • Small, convex, and glistening
  • Non-hemolytic
13. Parker, T. (2010). Image #12205. "This photomicrograph depicts the colonial morphology displayed by Gram-negative, Brucella abortus bacteria, which were grown on a medium of sheep blood agar (SBA), for a 24 hour time period." https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=12205
14. Parker, T. (2010). A Marsh. Image #12241. "This photograph depicts the colonial morphology displayed by Gram-negative, Brucella abortus bacteria, which were grown on a medium of sheep blood agar (SBA), for a 48-hour time period." https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=12241

Brucella abortus bacteria grown on sheep blood agar (SBA);
24 hours of incubation. (13)
Brucella abortus bacteria grown on a sheep blood agar (SBA);
48 hours of incubation. (14)