Blood Tellurite media is used for: March 2013
**Core Concept**
Blood Tellurite media is a selective and enrichment medium used in microbiology to isolate and culture certain types of bacteria, particularly those that are difficult to grow on standard media. This medium is characterized by its ability to inhibit the growth of other bacteria while allowing the desired organism to thrive.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The Blood Tellurite medium contains tellurite, a toxic compound that is reduced by the enzyme tellurite reductase, which is present in certain bacteria such as *Clostridium difficile* and *Yersinia pestis*. The reduction of tellurite by these bacteria results in the formation of metallic telluride, which is visible as a black precipitate. This characteristic allows the growth of these bacteria to be identified on the medium. The selective action of the medium prevents the overgrowth of other bacteria, making it easier to isolate and culture the desired organism.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because Blood Tellurite media is not typically used for the isolation of *Staphylococcus aureus*, which can be grown on other types of selective media such as Mannitol salt agar.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because Blood Tellurite media is not used for the cultivation of *Escherichia coli*, which can be grown on standard nutrient agar.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because Blood Tellurite media is not used for the isolation of *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, which can be grown on other types of selective media such as Pseudomonas agar.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Blood Tellurite media is a classic example of a selective and enrichment medium used in microbiology to isolate and culture difficult-to-grow bacteria. It is an important tool in the laboratory diagnosis of diseases caused by these organisms.
**Correct Answer: D. Clostridium difficile**