Neogen® Lowenstein-Jensen Medium

Lowenstein - Jensen Medium is used with fresh egg and glycerol for the isolation and differentiation of Mycobacterium spp. in a laboratory setting. Lowenstein - Jensen Medium is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions in humans.

The use of egg-based media for primary isolation of mycobacteria have two significant advantages. First, egg-based media support a wide variety of mycobacteria. Second, growth of mycobacteria on egg media can be used for niacin testing. Liquefaction of Lowenstein-Jensen Medium can occur if contaminated with proteolytic organisms.

Lowenstein-Jensen Medium is a modification of Lowenstein Medium, modified by Jensen. Jensen modified the medium by alternating the citrate and phosphate contents, eliminating congo red dye, and increasing malachite green concentration. Lowenstein-Jensen Medium is commonly used in the clinical laboratory to isolate acid-fast organisms from sterile and nonsterile sources.