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.
