Staphylococcus aureusS. aureus has also been implicated in nosocomial infections and food poisoning outbreaks. Many S. aureus strains produce enterotoxins that cause food poisoning when ingested. Food poisoning, bacteremia, pneumonia, toxic shock syndrome, and meningitis are some of the more serious infections that can be caused by S. aureus.

HardyCHROM™ Staph aureus allows for the rapid and reliable detection of S. aureus from both clinical and food specimens within 24 hours. Peptones in the medium supply the necessary nutrients. Selective agents inhibit the growth of gram-negative organisms, yeast, and some gram-positive cocci. Artificial substrates (chromogens) are broken down by specific microbial enzymes which release insoluble colored compounds.

S. aureus uses only one of the chromogens and will produce deep pink to fuchsia colored colonies. Bacteria other than S. aureus may utilize the other chromogenic substrates and produce blue, white, or turquoise colonies. If none of the substrates are utilized, natural or white colored colonies will be present.

This medium can also be utilized in spread plate enumeration techniques.

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