Evaluation of a modified selective differential medium for the isolation of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

VIA medium for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was modified by substituting meropenem (16 mg/L) for imipenem. S. maltophilia grew from 40% of drains sampled within a hospital and surrounding locations in Perth, Western Australia. The specificity of the new medium for S. maltophilia was 62%, and all contaminating bacteria were easily distinguishable by phenotypic tests and PCR. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.