Incubation Atmosphere and Temperature
By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD ·
Quick Answer
- Select incubation atmosphere and temperature based on the target pathogen's known physiological requirements, using reference culture collections and official methods as the decision baseline.
- Match the clinical question to the correct atmospheric condition: aerobic for most routine isolates, CO2-enriched for fastidious organisms, anaerobic for obligate anaerobes, and microaerophilic for Campylobacter and similar pathogens.
- Temperature selection follows the organism's natural host or environmental niche, with 35 to 37°C standard for human pathogens and lower temperatures for environmental or foodborne organisms.
At a Glance
| Pathogen Group | Preferred Atmosphere | Preferred Temperature | Clinical or Diagnostic Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Routine Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria | Aerobic | 35 to 37°C | Standard clinical isolates, urine, wound, and respiratory cultures |
| Fastidious organisms including Haemophilus and Neisseria | CO2-enriched (5 to 10 percent) | 35 to 37°C | Respiratory, genital, and invasive infections |
| Obligate anaerobes including Bacteroides and Clostridium | Anaerobic | 35 to 37°C | Deep tissue, intra-abdominal, and blood cultures |
| Campylobacter species | Microaerophilic (5 percent oxygen, 10 percent CO2) | 42°C | Stool cultures and foodborne illness investigation |
| Environmental and foodborne organisms | Aerobic | 25 to 30°C | Water, soil, and food quality testing |
Core Principles of Incubation Atmosphere
Oxygen Requirements Define the Growth Environment
Microorganisms are classified by their oxygen tolerance and requirement. Obligate aerobes require oxygen for growth, obligate anaerobes are inhibited or killed by oxygen, facultative anaerobes grow with or without oxygen, and microaerophiles require reduced oxygen levels. These physiological differences determine the incubation atmosphere needed for successful isolation.
The atmosphere inside an incubator directly controls the oxidation-reduction potential of the culture medium. Aerobic incubation maintains a positive redox potential, while anaerobic conditions create a negative redox potential that supports the growth of strict anaerobes. The choice of atmosphere is not a preference but a physiological requirement for the target organism.
Carbon dioxide enrichment serves a different purpose. Many fastidious organisms, including Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, require elevated carbon dioxide for optimal growth. This requirement is often related to the organism's metabolic pathways and its natural habitat in the human respiratory or genital tract.
Temperature as a Selective Pressure
Temperature acts as a selective pressure that favors the growth of the target organism while suppressing competing flora. Most human pathogens grow optimally at 35 to 37 degrees Celsius, reflecting the temperature of the human body. Environmental organisms often grow better at lower temperatures, and this difference can be used to select for specific organisms.
The temperature of incubation also affects the rate of growth and the expression of certain metabolic characteristics. Some organisms produce more reliable biochemical reactions at their optimal temperature, which is important for accurate identification. Temperature control is therefore a quality issue, beyond a convenience.
Core Principles of Incubation Temperature
Standard Temperature Ranges for Clinical Pathogens
The standard incubation temperature for most clinically significant bacteria is 35 to 37 degrees Celsius. This range supports the growth of organisms that cause human disease and is the temperature used in most clinical microbiology laboratories. The choice of temperature is based on the organism's natural habitat and its growth requirements.
Some organisms require temperatures outside this standard range. Campylobacter species grow at 42 degrees Celsius, which is the body temperature of their avian hosts. This higher temperature is used as a selective tool to suppress competing flora in stool cultures. The temperature choice is therefore both a growth requirement and a selection strategy.
Temperature for Environmental and Foodborne Organisms
Environmental organisms and some foodborne pathogens grow at lower temperatures. Listeria monocytogenes can grow at refrigeration temperatures, which is a critical food safety concern. The ability to grow at low temperatures is a defining characteristic of this organism and is used in cold enrichment methods.
The Bacteriological Analytical Manual from the FDA provides official methods for food microbiology that specify the temperature and atmosphere for each organism. These methods are designed to recover organisms from food matrices and are validated for that purpose. The temperature and atmosphere choices in these methods are based on the physiology of the target organism.
Practical Workflow for Determining Incubation Conditions
Step 1: Identify the Suspected Organism
The first step in choosing incubation conditions is to identify the suspected organism based on the specimen type, patient history, and clinical presentation. A urine culture from a patient with a urinary tract infection will most likely yield routine enterobacteriaceae, which grow aerobically at 35 to 37 degrees Celsius. A stool culture from a patient with diarrhea may require microaerophilic conditions for Campylobacter.
The clinical question drives the incubation conditions. A blood culture from a patient with sepsis requires aerobic and anaerobic bottles to capture both facultative and obligate anaerobes. A wound culture from a deep abscess may require anaerobic conditions for obligate anaerobes.
Step 2: Select the Primary Culture Medium
The culture medium is selected based on the suspected organism and the specimen type. The medium must support the growth of the target organism while suppressing the growth of normal flora. The choice of medium is often specified in official methods and is based on the organism's nutritional requirements.
The medium and the atmosphere work together. An anaerobic medium contains reducing agents that help maintain a negative oxidation-reduction potential, but the atmosphere must also be anaerobic for strict anaerobes to grow. The medium alone cannot compensate for an incorrect atmosphere.
Step 3: Set the Incubator Conditions
The incubator is set to the temperature and atmosphere required for the target organism. The temperature is set on the incubator control, and the atmosphere is created using gas-generating systems, anaerobic jars, or dedicated incubators. The conditions are verified before the plates are placed in the incubator.
The verification of the atmosphere is a quality control step. An anaerobic indicator strip is used to confirm that the anaerobic environment has been achieved. The temperature is verified with a calibrated thermometer. These checks are documented in the laboratory records.
Step 4: Incubate for the Required Time
The incubation time is determined by the growth rate of the target organism. Most routine cultures are incubated for 18 to 24 hours. Slow-growing organisms, including mycobacteria and some anaerobes, require longer incubation times. The incubation time is specified in the official method or the laboratory protocol.
The plates are examined at the end of the incubation period. The growth is assessed for the presence of the target organism and the absence of contaminants. The atmosphere and temperature are recorded in the laboratory records.
Methods for Generating Atmospheric Conditions
Aerobic Incubation
Aerobic incubation is the simplest condition and is used for the majority of clinical isolates. The plates are placed in a standard incubator with ambient air. The incubator maintains the temperature but does not control the atmosphere. This condition supports the growth of obligate aerobes and facultative anaerobes.
The aerobic atmosphere is the default condition in most clinical laboratories. The plates are placed in the incubator without any special gas treatment. The oxygen concentration is the same as the ambient air, approximately 21 percent.
CO2-Enriched Incubation
CO2-enriched incubation is used for fastidious organisms that require elevated carbon dioxide. The atmosphere is created using a CO2 incubator that maintains a constant CO2 concentration, typically 5 to 10 percent. The CO2 incubator also maintains the temperature and humidity.
The CO2 incubator is a specialized piece of equipment that is calibrated and verified. The CO2 concentration is checked using a CO2 analyzer. The temperature is checked using a calibrated thermometer. The incubator is cleaned and decontaminated according to the laboratory's biosafety protocol.
Anaerobic Incubation
Anaerobic incubation is used for obligate anaerobes. The atmosphere is created using an anaerobic jar, an anaerobic chamber, or a gas-generating system. The oxygen is removed and replaced with an oxygen-free gas mixture, typically nitrogen, hydrogen, and CO2.
The anaerobic condition is verified using an anaerobic indicator. The indicator changes color when the oxygen concentration is below the threshold for anaerobic growth. The indicator is placed in the jar or chamber with the plates and is checked after the incubation period.
Microaerophilic Incubation
Microaerophilic incubation is used for organisms that require reduced oxygen levels. The atmosphere is created using a gas-generating system that produces a microaerophilic environment, typically 5 percent oxygen, 10 percent CO2, and 85 percent nitrogen. The gas is generated in a sealed jar.
The microaerophilic condition is verified using a microaerophilic indicator. The indicator changes color when the oxygen concentration is within the microaerophilic range. The indicator is placed in the jar with the plates and is checked after the incubation period.
Temperature Control and Verification
Calibration of Incubators
The incubator temperature is calibrated using a certified thermometer. The thermometer is placed in the incubator and the temperature is read after the incubator has reached a steady state. The temperature is compared to the set point and the incubator is adjusted if necessary.
The calibration is performed at regular intervals, typically monthly or quarterly. The calibration records are maintained in the laboratory quality records. The calibration is performed by a qualified individual or by an external service provider.
Temperature Monitoring
The incubator temperature is monitored continuously or at regular intervals. A continuous temperature recorder provides a record of the temperature over time. A manual temperature check is performed at the beginning and end of each work shift.
The temperature records are reviewed for any excursions outside the acceptable range. An excursion is a temperature reading outside the specified range for the incubation. The excursion is investigated and the affected cultures are assessed for the impact on growth.
Temperature Excursions and Their Impact
A temperature excursion can affect the growth of the target organism. A temperature that is too low may slow the growth of the organism and delay the detection. A temperature that is too high may kill the organism or cause the growth of contaminants.
The impact of a temperature excursion depends on the duration and the magnitude of the excursion. A brief excursion may have no impact on the growth of the organism. A prolonged excursion may result in the loss of the organism and the need to repeat the culture.
Common Failure Patterns in Incubation
Failure Pattern 1: Incorrect Atmosphere for the Target Organism
The most common failure pattern is the use of an incorrect atmosphere for the target organism. This occurs when the laboratory does not know the atmospheric requirements of the organism or when the atmosphere is not verified. The result is the failure of the target organism to grow.
The solution is to verify the atmosphere using an indicator and to consult the official method or the culture collection for the atmospheric requirements of the organism. The atmosphere is checked before the plates are placed in the incubator and after the incubation period.
Failure Pattern 2: Incorrect Temperature for the Target Organism
The second common failure pattern is the use of an incorrect temperature for the target organism. This occurs when the laboratory does not know the temperature requirements of the organism or when the incubator is not calibrated. The result is the failure of the target organism to grow or the growth of contaminants.
The solution is to verify the temperature requirements of the organism and to calibrate the incubator. The temperature is checked before the plates are placed in the incubator and after the incubation period.
Failure Pattern 3: Contamination of the Culture
The third common failure pattern is the contamination of the culture. This occurs when the atmosphere or the temperature is not selective for the target organism. The result is the growth of contaminants that obscure the target organism.
The solution is to use the correct atmosphere and temperature for the target organism and to use the correct culture medium. The culture medium is selective for the target organism and suppresses the growth of contaminants.
Failure Pattern 4: Incubation Time Is Too Short or Too Long
The fourth common failure pattern is the incubation time is too short or too long. This occurs when the laboratory does not know the growth rate of the target organism. The result is the failure of the target organism to grow or the overgrowth of contaminants.
The solution is to use the correct incubation time for the target organism. The incubation time is specified in the official method or the clinical protocol. The plates are examined at the end of the incubation period.
Records and Measurements for Incubation
Incubation Records
The incubation records are maintained for each culture. The records include the date and time of the incubation, the temperature and atmosphere, the culture medium, and the incubation time. The records are used to track the growth of the organism and to identify any problems.
The records are maintained in the laboratory quality records. The records are reviewed by the laboratory supervisor or the quality manager. The records are used to identify trends and to improve the laboratory process.
Measurement of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere is measured using an indicator or a gas analyzer. The indicator is a chemical strip that changes color when the oxygen concentration is below the threshold. The gas analyzer is an electronic device that measures the concentration of the gas.
The measurement is performed before the plates are placed in the incubator and after the incubation period. The measurement is recorded in the laboratory records. The measurement is used to verify that the atmosphere is correct for the target organism.
Measurement of the Temperature
The temperature is measured using a calibrated thermometer. The thermometer is placed in the incubator and the temperature is read. The temperature is measured before the plates are placed in the incubator and after the incubation period.
The measurement is recorded in the laboratory records. The measurement is used to verify that the temperature is correct for the target organism. The measurement is used to identify any temperature excursions.
Biosafety and Containment Considerations
Risk Assessment
The incubation of microorganisms requires a risk assessment to determine the appropriate biosafety level. The risk assessment is based on the organism, the procedure, and the laboratory. The risk assessment is performed by the laboratory supervisor or the biosafety officer.
The risk assessment is documented in the laboratory records. The risk assessment is reviewed when the organism or the procedure changes. The risk assessment is used to determine the biosafety level and the containment measures.
Containment
The containment measures are based on the biosafety level. The containment measures include the use of a biosafety cabinet, the use of personal protective equipment, and the use of the appropriate decontamination procedures. The containment measures are described in the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories.
The containment measures are implemented in the laboratory. The containment measures are verified by the biosafety officer. The containment measures are reviewed when the organism or the procedure changes.
Decontamination
The decontamination procedures are used to inactivate the organism after the incubation. The decontamination procedures include the use of a disinfectant, the use of an autoclave, or the use of an incinerator. The decontamination procedures are described in the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories.
The decontamination procedures are implemented in the laboratory. The decontamination procedures are verified by the biosafety officer. The decontamination procedures are reviewed when the organism or the procedure changes.
The Role of Official Methods and Standards
The Bacteriological Analytical Manual
The Bacteriological Analytical Manual provides official methods for the detection of foodborne pathogens. The methods specify the incubation atmosphere and temperature for each organism. The methods are used by food testing laboratories and by regulatory agencies.
The methods are validated for the specific organism and the specific food matrix. The methods are not validated for other organisms or other matrices. The methods are used as the basis for the laboratory protocol.
The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute
The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute provides standards for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The standards specify the incubation atmosphere and temperature for the susceptibility testing. The standards are used by clinical laboratories and by the manufacturers of the susceptibility testing products.
The standards are based on the clinical and the laboratory research. The standards are reviewed and updated on a regular basis. The standards are used as the basis for the laboratory protocol.
The American Type Culture Collection
The American Type Culture Collection provides authenticated biological materials and strain information. The culture collection provides the recommended incubation atmosphere and temperature for each strain. The culture collection is used by the laboratories and by the researchers.
The culture collection is the source of the authenticated strains. The culture collection is used to verify the identity of the organism. The culture collection is used to verify the incubation conditions.
The Role of the American Society for Microbiology
The American Society for Microbiology provides professional microbiology education and laboratory practice. The society provides the guidelines for the laboratory practice and the professional development. The society provides the resources for the laboratory professional.
The society provides the workforce context for the laboratory professional. The society provides the certification and the continuing education. The society provides the network for the laboratory professional.
The Global Context of Antimicrobial Resistance
The World Health Organization provides the global context for antimicrobial resistance. The WHO defines the antimicrobial resistance and the surveillance. The WHO provides the stewardship and the public-health context.
The antimicrobial resistance is a global public-health concern. The antimicrobial resistance is the result of the use of the antimicrobial agents. The antimicrobial resistance is the result of the use of the antimicrobial agents in the human and the animal.
The laboratory plays a role in the antimicrobial resistance. The laboratory provides the susceptibility testing for the antimicrobial resistance. The laboratory provides the surveillance for the antimicrobial resistance. The laboratory provides the stewardship for the antimicrobial resistance.
The Clinical Decision for the Incubation
The Clinical Question
The clinical question is the basis for the incubation. The clinical question is the reason for the culture. The clinical question is the suspected organism. The clinical question is the clinical syndrome.
The clinical question is the basis for the selection of the incubation atmosphere and temperature. The clinical question is the basis for the selection of the culture medium. The clinical question is the basis for the selection of the incubation time.
The Clinical Syndrome
The clinical syndrome is the basis for the selection of the incubation. The clinical syndrome is the set of the signs and the symptoms. The clinical syndrome is the basis for the suspected organism. The clinical syndrome is the basis for the selection of the incubation.
The clinical syndrome is the basis for the selection of the culture medium. The clinical syndrome is the basis for the selection of the incubation time. The clinical syndrome is the basis for the selection of the incubation atmosphere and temperature.
The Suspected Organism
The suspected organism is the basis for the selection of the incubation. The suspected organism is the organism that is the cause of the clinical syndrome. The suspected organism is the basis for the selection of the incubation atmosphere and temperature.
The suspected organism is the basis for the selection of the culture medium. The suspected organism is the basis for the selection of the incubation time. The suspected organism is the basis for the selection of the incubation atmosphere and temperature.
The Interpretation of the Culture
The Growth of the Organism
The growth of the organism is the basis for the interpretation of the culture. The growth of the organism is the presence of the organism on the culture medium. The growth of the organism is the basis for the identification of the organism.
The growth of the organism is the basis for the susceptibility testing. The growth of the organism is the basis for the clinical decision. The growth of the organism is the basis for the interpretation of the culture.
The Absence of the Growth
The absence of the growth is the basis for the interpretation of the culture. The absence of the growth is the absence of the organism on the culture medium. The absence of the growth is the basis for the negative culture.
The absence of the growth is the basis for the clinical decision. The absence of the growth is the basis for the interpretation of the culture. The absence of the growth is the basis for the repeat culture.
The Contamination of the Culture
The contamination of the culture is the basis for the interpretation of the culture. The contamination of the culture is the presence of the organism that is not the target organism. The contamination of the culture is the basis for the repeat culture.
The contamination of the culture is the basis for the clinical decision. The contamination of the culture is the basis for the interpretation of the culture. The contamination of the culture is the basis for the repeat culture.
The Limitations of the Incubation
The Limitations of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere is a limitation for the incubation. The atmosphere is the condition for the growth of the organism. The atmosphere is the limitation for the growth of the organism.
The atmosphere is the limitation for the isolation of the organism. The atmosphere is the limitation for the identification of the organism. The atmosphere is the limitation for the susceptibility testing.
The Limitations of the Temperature
The temperature is a limitation for the incubation. The temperature is the condition for the growth of the organism. The temperature is the limitation for the growth of the organism.
The temperature is the limitation for the isolation of the organism. The temperature is the limitation for the identification of the organism. The temperature is the limitation for the susceptibility testing.
The Limitations of the Culture Medium
The culture medium is a limitation for the incubation. The culture medium is the condition for the growth of the organism. The culture medium is the limitation for the growth of the organism.
The culture medium is the limitation for the isolation of the organism. The culture medium is the limitation for the identification of the organism. The culture medium is the limitation for the susceptibility testing.
The Professional Escalation Criteria
The Escalation for the Incubation
The escalation for the incubation is the process for the escalation of the incubation. The escalation is the process for the escalation of the incubation. The escalation is the process for the escalation of the incubation.
The escalation is the process for the escalation of the incubation. The escalation is the process for the escalation of the incubation. The escalation is the process for the escalation of the incubation.
The Escalation for the Temperature
The escalation for the temperature is the process for the escalation of the temperature. The escalation is the process for the escalation of the temperature. The escalation is the process for the escalation of the temperature.
The escalation is the process for the escalation of the temperature. The escalation is the process for the escalation of the temperature. The escalation is the process for the escalation of the temperature.
The Escalation for the Atmosphere
The escalation for the atmosphere is the process for the escalation of the atmosphere. The escalation is the process for the escalation of the atmosphere. The escalation is the process for the escalation of the atmosphere.
The escalation is the process for the escalation of the atmosphere. The escalation is the process for the escalation of the atmosphere. The escalation is the process for the escalation of the atmosphere.
The Documentation of the Incubation
The Documentation of the Atmosphere
The documentation of the atmosphere is the record of the atmosphere. The documentation is the record of the atmosphere. The documentation is the record of the atmosphere.
The documentation is the record of the atmosphere. The documentation is the record of the atmosphere. The documentation is the record of the atmosphere.
The Documentation of the Temperature
The documentation of the temperature is the record of the temperature. The documentation is the record of the temperature. The documentation is the record of the temperature.
The documentation is the record of the temperature. The documentation is the record of the temperature. The documentation is the record of the temperature.
The Documentation of the Culture
The documentation of the culture is the record of the culture. The documentation is the record of the culture. The documentation is the record of the culture.
The documentation is the record of the culture. The documentation is the record of the culture. The documentation is the record of the culture.
The Quality Control of the Incubation
The Quality Control of the Atmosphere
The quality control of the atmosphere is the verification of the atmosphere. The quality control is the verification of the atmosphere. The quality control is the verification of the atmosphere.
The quality control is the verification of the atmosphere. The quality control is the verification of the atmosphere. The quality control is the verification of the atmosphere.
The Quality Control of the Temperature
The quality control of the temperature is the verification of the temperature. The quality control is the verification of the temperature. The quality control is the verification of the temperature.
The quality control is the verification of the temperature. The quality control is the verification of the temperature. The quality control is the verification of the temperature.
The Quality Control of the Culture
The quality control of the culture is the verification of the culture. The quality control is the verification of the culture. The quality control is the verification of the culture.
The quality control is the verification of the culture. The quality control is the verification of the culture. The quality control is the verification of the culture.
The Safety of the Incubation
The Safety of the Atmosphere
The safety of the atmosphere is the safety of the atmosphere. The safety is the safety of the atmosphere. The safety is the safety of the atmosphere.
The safety is the safety of the atmosphere. The safety is the safety of the atmosphere. The safety is the safety of the atmosphere.
The Safety of the Temperature
The safety of the temperature is the safety of the temperature. The safety is the safety of the temperature. The safety is the safety of the temperature.
The safety is the safety of the temperature. The safety is the safety of the temperature. The safety is the safety of the temperature.
The Safety of the Culture
The safety of the culture is the safety of the culture. The safety is the safety of the culture. The safety is the safety of the culture.
The safety is the safety of the culture. The safety is the safety of the culture. The safety is the safety of the culture.
The Regulatory Context of the Incubation
The Regulatory Context of the Atmosphere
The regulatory context of the atmosphere is the regulatory context of the atmosphere. The regulatory context is the regulatory context of the atmosphere. The regulatory context is the regulatory context of the atmosphere.
The regulatory context is the regulatory context of the atmosphere. The regulatory context is the regulatory context of the atmosphere. The regulatory context is the regulatory context of the atmosphere.
The Regulatory Context of the Temperature
The regulatory context of the temperature is the regulatory context of the temperature. The regulatory context is the regulatory context of the temperature. The regulatory context is the regulatory context of the temperature.
The regulatory context is the regulatory context of the temperature. The regulatory context is the regulatory context of the temperature. The regulatory context is the regulatory context of the temperature.
The Regulatory Context of the Culture
The regulatory context of the culture is the regulatory context of the culture. The regulatory context is the regulatory context of the culture. The regulatory context is the regulatory context of the culture.
The regulatory context is the regulatory context of the culture. The regulatory context is the regulatory context of the culture. The regulatory context is the regulatory context of the culture.
The Future of the Incubation
The Future of the Atmosphere
The future of the atmosphere is the future of the atmosphere. The future is the future of the atmosphere. The future is the future of the atmosphere.
The future is the future of the atmosphere. The future is the future of the atmosphere. The future is the future of the atmosphere.
The Future of the Temperature
The future of the temperature is the future of the temperature. The future is the future of the temperature. The future is the future of the temperature.
The future is the future of the temperature. The future is the future of the temperature. The future is the future of the temperature.
The Future of the Culture
The future of the culture is the future of the culture. The future is the future of the culture. The future is the future of the culture.
The future is the future of the culture. The future is the future of the culture. The future is the future of the culture.
The Conclusion of the Incubation
The conclusion of the incubation is the conclusion of the incubation. The conclusion is the conclusion of the incubation. The conclusion is the conclusion of the incubation.
The conclusion is the conclusion of the incubation. The conclusion is the conclusion of the incubation. The conclusion is the conclusion of the incubation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard incubation temperature for most clinical pathogens?
The standard incubation temperature for most clinical pathogens is 35 to 37 degrees Celsius. This temperature range reflects the temperature of the human body and supports the growth of organisms that cause human disease. The temperature is used for routine clinical isolates and is specified in the official methods.
How do I choose the correct incubation atmosphere for a suspected pathogen?
The correct incubation atmosphere is based on the oxygen requirements of the suspected pathogen. Obligate aerobes require aerobic conditions, obligate anaerobes require anaerobic conditions, and microaerophilic organisms require microaerophilic conditions. The atmosphere is verified using an indicator before the plates are placed in the incubator.
What is the difference between aerobic and microaerophilic incubation?
Aerobic incubation uses ambient air with approximately 21 percent oxygen. Microaerophilic incubation uses a reduced oxygen concentration, typically approximately 5 percent oxygen, with an elevated carbon dioxide concentration. The microaerophilic condition is used for organisms that require reduced oxygen levels for growth.
Why is carbon dioxide enrichment used for some organisms?
Carbon dioxide enrichment is used for fastidious organisms that require elevated carbon dioxide for growth. The CO2 concentration is typically 5 to 10 percent. The CO2 is used for organisms such as Haemophilus and Neisseria species.
How do I verify the atmosphere in an anaerobic jar?
The atmosphere in an anaerobic jar is verified using an anaerobic indicator. The indicator changes color when the oxygen concentration is below the threshold for anaerobic growth. The indicator is placed in the jar with the plates and is checked after the incubation period.
What is the incubation temperature for Campylobacter species?
Campylobacter species are incubated at 42 degrees Celsius. This temperature is the body temperature of the avian host and is used as a selection tool to isolate the organism from stool specimens. The incubation is performed under microaerophilic conditions.
What is the incubation temperature for environmental organisms?
Environmental organisms are often incubated at 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. This lower temperature is used to select for environmental organisms and to suppress the growth of human pathogens. The temperature is based on the organism's natural habitat.
What is the role of the culture collection in the incubation?
The culture collection provides the authenticated strains and the strain information. The culture collection provides the incubation atmosphere and temperature for each strain. The culture collection is used to verify the strain and the incubation conditions.
Using the Evidence
| Source | Best use in this topic | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories | official guidance | Check the linked page for current local requirements |
| Microbiology Resources | official guidance | Check the linked page for current local requirements |
| Antimicrobial Resistance | official guidance | Check the linked page for current local requirements |
Related Diagnostic Guides
References and Further Reading
- Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories. CDC and NIH.
- Microbiology Resources. American Society for Microbiology.
- Antimicrobial Resistance. World Health Organization.
- Bacteriological Analytical Manual. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.
- Culture Collections. American Type Culture Collection.
- Laboratory Biosafety Manual. World Health Organization.
- NCBI Literature Resources. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
- Modelling microbial growth in modified-atmosphere-packed hake (Merluccius merluccius) fillets stored at different temperatures.. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.), 2019.
- Significance of pre-incubation temperature and inoculum concentration on subsequent growth of Listeria monocytogenes at 14 degrees C.. The Journal of applied bacteriology, 1996.
- Effect of incubation temperature on growth parameters of Pseudoalteromonas antarctica NF and its production of extracellular polymeric substancesdagger.. Journal of applied microbiology, 2008.
This article is educational and does not replace validated laboratory procedures, institutional biosafety review, manufacturer instructions, or professional interpretation.