Aims-(1) To evaluate the performance of in-house and pre-poured commer
cially available enteric agar by challenge with a large number of posi
tive clinical specimens. (2) To set the standard (critical independent
evaluation) which new products should reach. (3) To publish this info
rmation, so that others can make informed decisions about enteric medi
a. Methods-Thirteen media of anonymous source were challenged with ''k
nown'' positive stool samples. Results-In-house desoxycholate citrate
agar performed best for overall pathogen isolation rates, for shigella
isolation rates, and for most pathogens available on primary culture.
Conclusions-Desoxycholate citrate agar made by our own laboratory yie
lded the most pathogens and proved the most effective.