Cycloserine-cefoxitin-fructose agar (CCFA) is primarily used for the recovery of which bacterium?

Cycloserine-cefoxitin-fructose agar (CCFA) is primarily used for the recovery of which bacterium?

• A. Yersinia enterocolitica
• B. Yersinia intermedia
• C. Clostridium perfringens
• D. Clostridium difficile

Answer: (D)

Cycloserine-cefoxitin-fructose agar (CCFA) is specifically designed to isolate and recover Clostridium difficile, a bacterium known for causing antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis. The medium is formulated with selective agents such as cycloserine and cefoxitin, which inhibit the growth of other bacteria, allowing C. difficile to thrive. Additionally, the presence of fructose serves as a carbon source that supports its growth. The selective nature of CCFA is critical in clinical settings, especially when diagnosing infections linked to C. difficile after antibiotic use. This agar is often employed in laboratories to confirm suspected cases of C. difficile infection, making it an essential tool in microbiology for identifying this specific organism and facilitating effective treatment.

Cycloserine-cefoxitin-fructose agar (CCFA) is specifically designed to isolate and recover Clostridium difficile, a bacterium known for causing antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis. The medium is formulated with selective agents such as cycloserine and cefoxitin, which inhibit the growth of other bacteria, allowing C. difficile to thrive. Additionally, the presence of fructose serves as a carbon source that supports its growth.

The selective nature of CCFA is critical in clinical settings, especially when diagnosing infections linked to C. difficile after antibiotic use. This agar is often employed in laboratories to confirm suspected cases of C. difficile infection, making it an essential tool in microbiology for identifying this specific organism and facilitating effective treatment.