Comparison of media for the enumeration of klebsiella from aquatic samples contaminated with domestic and industrial waste waters

Four selective agar media, mFCIC, M-Kleb, MCIK, and Wong modified, were compared for the enumeration of Klebsiella in waters contaminated with domestic and industrial waste waters (food, textile, forest industry). The presumptive Klebsiella densities of different water samples were determined, and 464 cultures were isolated and typed using the API 20E identification tests. The yield of Klebsiella and the species composition varied considerably on different media, and a significant difference in selectivity was observed. In the light of the results obtained in this study, both mFCIC and M-Kleb are suitable for routine laboratory analysis. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.