Improved detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae in middle-ear fluid cultures by use of a gentamicin-containing medium

Abstract

The performance of Columbia agar medium with added sheep blood and gentamicin (CAG) for isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae from middle-ear fluid cultures was compared to that of routine blood agar medium (BA). Of 238 pneumococcal isolates recovered, CAG plates detected 233 (97.9%) but BA plates detected only 208 (87.4%) (P < 0.001).