Selective media inhibit other bacteria present in the culture. Selective media must be used for the isolation of the aerobic actinomycetes from nonsterile sites (eg, respiratory specimens).
The following materials are examples of selective media as presented in the Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook:22
Nonsterile body sites
- Buffered charcoal yeast extract (BCYE) with and without antibiotics at 25°C and 35°C
- Modified Thayer-Martin (MTM) agar at 25°C and 35°C
- Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) with and without inhibitor (5% NaCl) at 25°C and 35°C
- Carbon-free basal medium at 25°C and 35°C
22. Leber AL, ed. Clinical microbiology procedures handbook. 4th ed. ASM Press; 2016:Section 6.
