Butzler campylobacter medium: composition, preparation and uses




  • Butzler selective medium is used to isolate campylobacter jejuni and campylobacter coli from faeces.
  • Butzlers Virion medium is recommended because it has been shown to give satisfactory results when cultures are incubated in a candle jar at 37°.

Composition of Butzler campylobacter medium:

To make about 38 plates:

  • Brucella agar base (oxoid)…………500 ml (thioglycollate medium with 20 g agar added, Columbia agar or oxoid blood agar base can be used)
  • Sterile sheep blood……………………..75 ml
  • Rifampicin……………………………………5 mg
  • Colistin…………………………………………5000 IU
  • Cafoperazone……………………………….7.5 mg
  • Amphotericin B……………………………..1 mg

Preparation procedure of Butzler campylobacter medium

  • Prepare and sterilize the Brucella agar or other base medium as instructed by the manufacturer. Transfer to a 50°C water bath.
  • When the medium has cooled to 50°C add aseptically the sterile sheep blood (prewarmed to room temperature), and mix gently.
  • Add the antibiotics and mix gently but well. Avoid forming air bubbles
  • Dispense aseptically in sterile petri dishes as described.
  • Label the plates
  • Date the medium and give it a batch number.

Quality control

  • pH of medium: depending on the agar base used, the pH should be within the range pH 7.2-7.5 at room temperature.
  • Performance: test the medium as described for the control of a selective medium.
  • *Store the plates at 2-8°C in sealed plastic bags to prevent loss of moisture.

Uses of Butzler campylobacter medium:

  • Used as selective medium for isolation of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli

Butzler campylobacter medium: composition, preparation and uses