Selective Culture Medium · Clinical Microbiology · Gastroenterology
Helicobacter pylori Selective Medium Base
Columbia Blood Agar Base + VCTA Selective Supplement
PC2 Pathogen CultureMicroaerophilicIARC Group I PathogenVancomycin · Trimethoprim · Cefsulodin · Amphotericin B
AuSaMicS
Life Science™
Cat No.
AS-1249
Base Medium
Columbia Blood Agar
Final pH
7.3 ± 0.2
Atmosphere
Microaerophilic
Incubation
37–42 °C / 3–7 d
Overview
Helicobacter pylori Selective Medium Base is a specialised culture medium for the isolation and cultivation of Helicobacter pylori, a microaerophilic Gram-negative spiral bacterium and the primary causative agent of chronic active gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric adenocarcinoma. Classified as an IARC Group I carcinogen, H. pylori colonises the human gastric mucosa and requires enriched, highly selective conditions for successful primary isolation.
The base medium is Columbia Blood Agar supplemented with 5–10% defibrinated sheep blood (providing haemin, NAD, and growth factors) and a four-antibiotic selective cocktail: vancomycin (Gram-positive suppression), trimethoprim (enteric flora), cefsulodin (anti-Pseudomonas), and amphotericin B (antifungal). H. pylori is intrinsically resistant to all four antibiotics at concentrations used, permitting preferential recovery from complex clinical specimens.
Applications
🦠
Primary Isolation
Gold standard culture from gastric biopsy (antrum, corpus, fundus), gastric brushings, and gastric juice specimens for diagnosis and AST.
💊
Antibiotic Sensitivity
Culture-based susceptibility testing (E-test / disk diffusion) for clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin resistance profiling per Maastricht V guidelines.
🔬
Research & QC
In vitro pathogenesis studies, eradication confirmation cultures, and proficiency testing for NATA / ISO 17025-accredited laboratories.
Selective Antibiotic Supplement (VCTA)
Vancomycin
Suppresses Gram-positive bacteria
~10 mg/L · Glycopeptide · Cell wall inhibition
Trimethoprim
Suppresses enteric Gram-negative bacilli
~5 mg/L · DHFR inhibitor · Folate pathway
Cefsulodin
Inhibits Pseudomonas aeruginosa
~5 mg/L · Beta-lactam · Cell wall inhibition
Amphotericin B
Inhibits yeasts and moulds
~2 mg/L · Polyene · Ergosterol binding
H. pylori is intrinsically resistant to all four antibiotics at concentrations used, enabling highly selective recovery from heavily contaminated gastric specimens.
Colony Identification & Confirmation
Colony morphology
Small (0.5–2 mm), circular, convex, translucent to grey, smooth; non-haemolytic (gamma)
Urease test
Strongly positive — rapid urease colour change within 1–4 hours
Oxidase test
Positive
Catalase test
Positive
Gram stain
Gram-negative spiral / curved rods; S-shaped or seagull morphology
Motility
Positive — corkscrew motility by dark-field or phase-contrast microscopy
Molecular confirmation
16S rRNA PCR or species-specific PCR for definitive identification
High humidity essential — prevent desiccation Use CampyPak or equivalent gas generator
Aerobic and anaerobic conditions are NOT suitable — H. pylori requires strict microaerophilic atmosphere for growth. Standard CO² incubators are insufficient without O² control.
Storage & Shelf Life
Dehydrated Base
15–30 °C, dry place, tightly closed, protected from light and moisture
Prepared Plates
2–8 °C, sealed in plastic bag — use within 2 weeks of preparation
After Opening
Reseal immediately; use desiccant sachet if humidity > 60% RH
Do Not Use If
Powder shows caking or discolouration; plates show contamination, drying, or colour change
AuSaMicS Pty Ltd (ABN 56 676 640 467) warrants that this product meets stated specifications at time of manufacture. For laboratory use only. Not intended for human, animal, food, feed, or pharmaceutical use. · 31 Longview CT, Thomastown VIC 3074, Australia · support@ausamics.com · +61 412 520 598 · www.ausamics.com.au
Safety Data Sheet — GHS Format (Australian WHS Regulations 2017) Issue Date: March 2026 · Rev: 1.0 · Prepared in accordance with WHS Regulations and GHS 7th Revision.
Biological Hazard: This medium is designed to culture H. pylori — an IARC Group I carcinogen and Risk Group 2 human pathogen. PC2 containment required. All prepared medium and cultures must be treated as biohazardous. Follow AS/NZS 2243.3:2010. Reproductive Toxicant: Trimethoprim (H360) — pregnant workers must avoid handling.
Section 1 — Identification
Product Name
Helicobacter pylori Selective Medium Base
Catalog No.
AS-1249
Intended Use
Selective microbiological culture medium — PC2 laboratory use only
Supplier
AuSaMicS Pty Ltd, 31 Longview CT, Thomastown VIC 3074, Australia
AuSaMicS Pty Ltd (ABN 56 676 640 467) · 31 Longview CT, Thomastown VIC 3074, Australia · support@ausamics.com · +61 412 520 598 · www.ausamics.com.au This SDS is prepared in accordance with Australian WHS Regulations and GHS (7th Rev.). For PC2 laboratory use only.
Product Details
Product Name
H. pylori Selective Medium Base
Catalog No.
AS-1249
Lot No.
HPS260301
Mfg. Date
March 2026
Retest Date
March 2028
Grade
Microbiological / Selective
Base
Columbia Blood Agar + VCTA Supplement
Document Information
COA No.
COA-AS-1249-L001
Issue Date
March 2026
Issued By
AuSaMicS Quality Control
Test Ref.
In-house / ATCC reference strains
Test Results & Analytical Data
Test Parameter
Specification
Method
Result
Status
Appearance (powder)
Homogeneous; light beige to pale pink; no lumps
Visual inspection
Conforms
PASS
Appearance (prepared)
Opaque, red-brown gel; homogeneous; no contamination
Visual — plate check
Conforms
PASS
pH (prepared, 25 °C)
7.1 – 7.5
Potentiometry (ISO 10523)
7.3
PASS
Gel strength (prepared)
Firm gel; no syneresis or collapse
Visual — plate check
Firm
PASS
Loss on Drying
≤ 7.0% w/w
105 °C / 2 h (gravimetric)
3.9%
PASS
Growth — H. pylori ATCC 43504
Good growth; small translucent colonies at day 3–5 (37 °C, microaerophilic)
Microaerophilic culture
Good growth
PASS
Inhibition — E. coli ATCC 25922
Complete / ≥ 99% inhibition (aerobic, 37 °C, 48 h)
Selectivity test
Complete
PASS
Inhibition — C. albicans ATCC 10231
Complete inhibition
Antifungal selectivity
Complete
PASS
Haemolysis pattern
Gamma (non-haemolytic) for H. pylori
Visual — plate check
Gamma
PASS
Sterility (prepared medium)
No growth at 14 days (aerobic, 30–35 °C)
Incubation sterility check
No growth
PASS
Performance Compliance
Supports H. pylori growth; inhibits contaminants per specification
Performance review
Conforms
CONFORM
Conclusion: Lot HPS260301 has been tested against all release specifications for H. pylori Selective Agar. Performance-verified using H. pylori ATCC 43504 under microaerophilic conditions. This lot is RELEASED for use.
Quality Control Analyst
AuSaMicS Quality Control Department
Date: March 2026 | Signature: _______________
Quality Manager
AuSaMicS Pty Ltd
Date: March 2026 | Signature: _______________
AuSaMicS Pty Ltd (ABN 56 676 640 467) warrants this product meets specifications at time of manufacture. For laboratory use only. Not intended for human, animal, food, feed, or pharmaceutical use. AuSaMicS Pty Ltd shall not be held liable for any damages resulting from use outside the intended application. · 31 Longview CT, Thomastown VIC 3074, Australia · support@ausamics.com · +61 412 520 598 · www.ausamics.com.au