Culture medium kit and method for detection of microorganisms

Abstract

The present invention discloses culture medium unit doses for cultivating microorganisms comprising at least two compositions, each composition packaged in a composition unit dose of a predetermined amount, the composition unit doses being used for combining one of each composition unit dose forming the culture medium unit dose. The composition unit doses being packaged separately and individually until a time the culture medium unit dose is to be prepared for use for cultivation of microorganisms, wherein the time one of each composition unit dose are combined thereby forming the culture medium unit dose. The invention also discloses a method of manufacturing the composition unit doses, and a kit for cultivating microorganisms, the kit comprising a combination of the composition unit doses.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A kit for forming a single unit dose of a liquid culture medium for detection of the presence of a bacterium by color development, the kit comprising:
 a liquid culture medium unit dose comprising one of a serum or a starch; and   separately, a dry component unit dose including the other of the serum or starch;   wherein one unit dose of each of the liquid culture medium and dry component when combined forms the single unit dose of liquid culture medium for detection of the presence of the bacterium by development of a second color from a first color.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the dry component includes the other of the serum or starch dried in an inert insoluble carrier material. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 2 , wherein the inert soluble carrier material is selected from the group consisting of paper, gelatin, agar, pectin, protein, carbohydrate, starch, and polymeric carbohydrate. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the dry component includes the other of the serum or starch contained in a soluble form selected from the group consisting of a capsule, a tablet, a pill, and a pellet. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the dry component includes the other of the serum or starch contained in an insoluble capsule, the capsule being crushable so as to release a unit dose of the dry component. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the bacterium is Group B Streptococcus (GBS), and the first color is orange and the second color is red. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid culture medium unit dose is a serum selected from the group consisting of:
 horse serum;   peptone;   methotrexate;   magnesium sulfate;   glucose;   pyruvate;   phosphate and MOPS buffer, with a pH of 7.4;   crystal violet;   colistine sulfate; and   metronidazole.   
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid culture medium unit dose is contained in a tube. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the dry component unit doses are packaged in a single container. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid culture medium unit dose comprises horse serum, and the dry component unit dose comprises a starch dried in a paper carrier. 
     
     
         11 . A method for detection of the presence of a bacterium, the method comprising:
 providing a liquid culture medium unit dose comprising one of a serum or a starch; and   separately, providing a dry component unit dose including the other of the serum or starch;   combining one unit dose of each of the liquid culture medium and dry component to form a single unit dose of liquid culture medium for detection of the presence of the bacterium by development of a second color from a first color.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the dry component includes the other of the serum or starch dried in an inert insoluble carrier material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the inert soluble carrier material is selected from the group consisting of paper, gelatin, agar, pectin, protein, carbohydrate, starch, and polymeric carbohydrate. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the dry component includes the other of the serum or starch contained in a soluble form selected from the group consisting of a capsule, a tablet, a pill, and a pellet. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the dry component includes the other of the serum or starch contained in an insoluble capsule, and the method include crushing the capsule so as to release a unit dose of the dry component. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the bacterium is Group B Streptococcus (GBS), and the first color is orange and the second color is red. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the liquid culture medium unit dose is a serum selected from the group consisting of:
 horse serum;   peptone;   methotrexate;   magnesium sulfate;   glucose;   pyruvate;   phosphate and MOPS buffer, with a pH of 7.4;   crystal violet;   colistine sulfate; and   metronidazole.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the liquid culture medium unit dose is contained in a tube. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a plurality of the dry component unit doses are packaged in a single container. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the liquid culture medium unit dose comprises horse serum, and the dry component unit dose comprises a starch dried in a paper carrier.