VRE Agar Base – Selective Medium for Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) and High-Level Aminoglycoside-Resistant Enterococci (HLARE), 250g

VRE Agar Base is a selective agar medium developed for the isolation and differentiation of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) from clinical and environmental samples. By supplementing with antibiotics, the medium can also be adapted for high-level aminoglycoside-resistant enterococci (HLARE) detection.

Key Features:

• Designed for isolation of VRE

• Can be modified for HLARE detection by gentamicin supplementation

• Provides clear differentiation of enterococcal colonies

• Supplied in 250 g bottle, with long shelf life

Composition (per liter):

• Peptone ……………………………… 20.0 g

• Yeast Extract ………………………… 5.0 g

• Sodium Citrate ……………………….. 1.0 g

• Esculin ……………………………… 1.0 g

• Sodium Chloride ………………………. 5.0 g

• Ferric Ammonium Citrate ……………….. 0.5 g

• Inhibitor ……………………………. 0.15 g

• Agar ………………………………… 10.0 g

• Final pH: 7.1 ± 0.2 at 25℃

Preparation Instructions:

1. Suspend 42.7 g of VRE Agar Base in 1 liter of distilled or deionized water.

2. Heat to boiling for at least 1 minute until agar is completely dissolved.

3. Dispense into suitable containers.

4. Sterilize by autoclaving at 121℃ for 15 minutes.

5. After sterilization, shake gently to prevent agar sedimentation at the bottom.

6. Cool to about 50℃.

7. Under aseptic conditions, supplement as required:

   • Add 1 mg sterile meropenem + 6 mg sterile vancomycin per liter to prepare VRE′S medium.

   • Add 512 mg sterile gentamicin per liter to prepare HLARE′S medium.

8. Mix gently and pour plates for use.

Storage:

• Store at room temperature in a dry place.

• Shelf life: 3 years.