Selective media allows the growth of certain type of organisms, while inhibiting the growth of other

organisms. These media contain antimicrobials, dyes, or alcohol to inhibit the growth of the organisms
not targeted for study.

Example: Eosin methylene blue agar, Mannitol Salt agar, MacConkey agar, and Phenylethyl
Alcohol agar.

Differential media are widely used for  differentiating closely related organisms or groups of organisms.
Because of the  presence of certain dyes or chemicals in the media, the organisms will produce certain
characteristic changes or growth patterns that are used for identification or differentiation of
microorganism.

Example: Blood agar, Eosin methylene blue agar, Mannitol Salt agar, MacConkey agar.

E. coli, Psuedomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia produce pink colonies on MacConkey agar.
These organisms are gram negative lactose-fermenting bacteria, they ferment lactose producing an
acid which lowers the pH of the agar below 6.8 and results in the appearance of pink colonies.

Candle jar is a Jar with a lid providing a gas-tight seal in which a small white candle is placed and lit after
the culture plates have been placed inside. The candle flame will consume most of the oxygen in the jar
and will produce an elevated level of carbon dioxide.

The candle jar inhibit certain obligate anaerobes, thus it isolate certain pathogenic bacteria that require
anaerobic atmosphere relatively enriched with CO 2.

The isolation of pathogens from CSF specimen is much easier that isolating it from stool specimen,
because CSF does not contain normal flora, whereas stool is rich with NF.

Types of hemolysis:

Alpha hemolysis (incomplete, partial, green hemolysis): it is caused by hydrogen peroxide produced by
the bacteria, that oxidize hemoglobin to green methemoglobin. So, the agar under the colony is dark
and greenish.

Beta Hemolysis (complete hemolysis): it is caused by Streptolysin (an exotoxin) produced by the
bacteria, this enzyme causes a complete lysis of red blood cells, producing lightened (yellow) and
transparent area.
Gama hemolysis: If an organism does not induce hemolysis (does not break down RBCs), the agar under
and around the colony will not changed.

Pharyngitis : Streptococcus pyogenes.

Urinary tract infection: E. coli.

Wound and burn infection: Staphylococcus aureus.

Blood diarrhea: Salmonella.

Abscess and skin infection : Staphlucoccus epidermidis.

Endocarditis in intravenous drug user : Staphylococcus aureus.

Endocarditis after dental extraction : Staphylococcus variadans.

Oral or vaginal thrush: Candida albicans.