Slanetz and Bartley Agar

Slanetz and Bartley Medium is used for the enumeration of enterococci from water samples as described in ISO 7899-2, and is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions in humans.

This medium was originally described by Slanetz and Bartley for the enumeration of enterococci from water samples using a membrane filtration technique, but it may also be used as a spread plate for the examination of other sample types. Enterococci reduce tetrazolium chloride to the insoluble red dye formazan, producing colonies which are dark red or maroon on the surface of the membrane or agar. This reaction is not exclusive to enterococci, and the count at this stage should be considered presumptive. Colonies may be confirmed as enterococci by demonstrating aesculin hydrolysis using Kanamycin Aesculin Azide Agar (NCM0198).