ASCP MLT Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive Prep Guide

The correct choice is potato-blood-glycerol agar, which is specifically designed to support the growth of Bordatella pertussis, the bacterium responsible for whooping cough. This medium contains a rich nutrient base provided by potato extract and blood, which facilitates the growth of fastidious organisms like B. pertussis. The addition of glycerol serves to stabilize cultures and enhance recovery of the organism from clinical specimens.

Other types of media mentioned may have beneficial properties for various types of bacteria but are not typically effective for isolating Bordatella pertussis. Nutrient agar, while useful for many bacterial cultures, is too general and does not provide the specific nutrients or conditions that favor B. pertussis growth. Culture media with antibiotics may inhibit the growth of B. pertussis rather than support it, as this bacterium can be sensitive to certain antimicrobial agents. Mannitol salt agar is selective for staphylococci due to its high salt concentration, which would inhibit the growth of B. pertussis. Therefore, potato-blood-glycerol agar is the most suitable choice for isolating this particular organism.