OSMT (Ontario Society of Medical Technologists) Practice Exam

Which of the following is Mueller-Hinton agar primarily used for?

1. To isolate Neisseria species

2. With the Steer's replicator

3. In fungal identification

4. Check HEPA filter efficiency

The correct answer is: To isolate Neisseria species

Mueller-Hinton agar is primarily utilized for the culture and susceptibility testing of bacteria, and it is especially effective for organisms that are considered fastidious. One of its primary uses is for testing antibiotic susceptibility, particularly with pathogens like Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species, as well as Neisseria species. Neisseria, a genus that includes important human pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, can be cultured on Mueller-Hinton agar to assess their resistance or susceptibility to various antimicrobial agents. The agar provides a nutrient-rich environment that supports the growth of these bacteria, making it ideal for such applications. The other options listed do not align with the primary uses of Mueller-Hinton agar. For instance, while the Steer's replicator is a tool used in microbiology, it is not specifically tied to Mueller-Hinton agar. Fungal identification typically requires different media designed to support the growth of fungi, rather than the bacterial-centric Mueller-Hinton agar. Lastly, checking HEPA filter efficiency is unrelated to microbial culture media; such testing is typically conducted using specific particulate counts, not nutrient agar.