Brucella species

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Brucella species

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 CO2may enhance 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

Brucella on SBA at 24h image courtesy of CDC
Brucella on SBA at 48h image courtesy of CDC