SXT Blood Agar

Selectively isolate beta-hemolytic group A streptococci from throat cultures and upper respiratory specimens using Thermo Scientific™ Remel™ SXT Blood Agar. Pacifico at al. demonstrated the isolation of β-hemolyic streptococci is improved with the use of a selective medium which inhibits oropharyngeal commensal microbial flora¹. In 1977, Gunn et al. introduced a selective medium containing sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim in a tryptic soy agar base supplemented with 5% sheep blood². In 1979, Kurzynski et al. proved that streptococci were more frequently isolated on SXT sheep blood agar³.

Clinical assessment alone is unreliable in distinguishing streptococcal and non-streptococcol pharyngitis⁴. Serious medical complications may follow pharyngitis caused by group A streptococci, making bacterial examination of the throat an indispensable diagnostic tool.

Use of SXT sheep blood agar allows enhanced recovery of Lancefield groups A and B streptococci from throat cultures while inhibiting the growth of commensal microbial flora.

• Ready-to-use – The convenience of prepared media
• Selective – Use of sulfamethoxazole plus trimethoprim (SXT) supresses growth of streptococcal groups C, F, and G and Streptococci viridans, most Enterobacteriaceae, Neisseria, and some Pseudomonas

This medium contains casein and soy peptones that provide nutritious source of nitrogen, amino acids, and peptides. Sheep blood provides growth factors and allows detection of hemolytic reactions. Sodium chloride maintains osmotic equilibrium. SXT (sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim) act as selective agents to supresse most commensal microbial flora found in the oropharynx, including streptococcal groups C, F, and G and Streptococci viridans, most Enterobacteriaceae, Neisseria, and some Pseudomonas spp.

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Remel™ and Oxoid™ products are now part of the Thermo Scientific brand.