Xylose-Lysine-Desoxycholate selective medium for the isolation of salmonellae and shigellae from

clinical specimens and foods.

XLD Agar was originally formulated by Taylor1 for the isolation and identification of shigellae
from stool specimens. It has since been found to be a satisfactory medium for the isolation and
presumptive identification of both salmonellae and shigellae2.
Isolation and primary differentiation of Salmonella and Shigella from non-pathogenic bacteria
the media relies on xylose fermentation, lysine decarboxylation and production of hydrogen
sulphide.
Almost all enteric bacteria are capable of ferment xylose except Shigella, Providencia and
Edwardsiella. Shigella can be identified due to the xylose negative reaction.
Salmonella spp. are differentiated from non-pathogenic xylose fermenter by decarboxylation of
lysine, which altering the pH to alkaline and mimicking the Shigella reaction but production of
hydrogen sulphide differentiate it.
Lysine-positive coliforms cannot revert the pH to alkaline due to high level produced by
fermentation of lactose and sucrose and also non-pathogenic hydrogen sulphide do not
decarboxylate lysine. To inhibit the growth of coliforms without decreasing the growth of
shigellae and salmonellae Sodium desoxycholate is incorporated into the medium.
Sodium desoxycholate is incorporated as an inhibitor in the medium. The concentration used
allows for the inhibition of coliforms without decreasing the ability to support shigellae and
salmonellae [Taylor W. I. and Harris B., 1967].
TCBS
It might be the completion of the reaction (Reduction/oxidation) and indicators might be
exhausted. i.e., Sodium Thiosulfate, a sulfur source, and acts with Ferric Citrate as an indicator
to detect hydrogen sulfide production. Bromthymol Blue and Thymol Blue are pH indicators.
Also if the plates are left for long time at room temperature, the colonies will change their color
to green.
The recovery of Shigella spp. has previously been neglected despite the high incidence of
shigellosis. This has been due to inadequate isolation media3. The sensitivity and selectivity of
X.L.D. Agar exceeds that of the traditional plating media e.g. Eosin Methylene Blue,
Salmonella-Shigella and Bismuth Sulphite agars, which tend to suppress the growth of shigellae.
Many favourable comparisons between X.L.D. Agar and these other media have been recorded
in the literature4,2,5,6,7,8,9,10.
The recovery of salmonellae and shigellae is not obscured by profuse growth of other species3
therefore X.L.D. Agar is ideal for the screening of samples containing mixed flora and suspected
of harbouring enteric pathogens e.g. medical specimens or food products. Chadwick, Delisle and

Byer11 recommended the use of this medium as a diagnostic aid in the identification of
Enterobacteriaceae.
X.L.D. Agar, in conjunction with MLCB Agar, is specified for use following enrichment culture
in Modified Semi-Solid Rappaport Medium (MSRV) when examining faeces for Salmonella
spp12. It is also used for the isolation of Salmonella from food and animal feedstuffs (ISO: 6579:
2002 +A1:2007)13.