ELLNERS BROTH

Description

Ellners Broth is recommended for inducing sporulation in Clostridium perfringens. Spores are rarely seen in culture (a diagnostic feature) but can be obtained on Ellners Medium. In practice, the routine characterization of clostridia to species level involves morphological examinations, biochemical tests and identification of specific toxins. All clostridia produce spores but they vary markedly in their readiness to do so. Some of which may require prolonged incubation. C. perfringens are gram-positive rods, often capsulated. In sugar-containing media, the Clostridium rods are shorter whereas in protein-containing media, they may become filamentous. Spores formed are usually in small numbers and are not formed in the presence of fermentable carbohydrates. Typically, oval, sub-terminal or central spores are formed and are not bulging. Special media like Ellners Broth are used to produce spores.