 Gram negative Shigella sonnei bacteria which spent 48 hours cultured on Hektoen enteric agar (HEK). | |
| Acronym | HEK, HE, or HEA |
|---|---|
| Inventor | Hektoen Institute |
| Manufacturer | Hektoen Institute |
Hektoen enteric agar (HEK, HE or HEA) is a selective and differential agar[1] primarily used to recover Salmonella and Shigella from patient specimens. HEA contains indicators of lactose fermentation and hydrogen sulfide production; as well as inhibitors to prevent the growth of Gram-positive bacteria. It is named after the Hektoen Institute in Chicago, where researchers developed the agar.
- ^ Goo VY, Ching GQ, Gooch JM (September 1973). "Comparison of brilliant green agar and Hektoen enteric agar media in the isolation of salmonellae from food products". Appl Microbiol. 26 (3): 288–92. doi:10.1128/am.26.3.288-292.1973. PMC 379776. PMID 4584576.