This monograph has been reviewed by members of the IUMS–ICFMH Working Party on Culture Media and given ‘Proposed’ status.

The Exeter selective enrichment broth, on which the UK PHLS method is based (Anon., 1998), has been shown to result in improved isolation of Campylobacter from chicken samples in comparison with the Park and Sanders method (Humphrey, 1995). The method was first based on a nutrient broth base (Humphrey et al., 1995), but has since been improved by using Bolton broth as base. Iron(II) sulfate, sodium pyruvate, sodium metabisulfite and blood improve the recovery of any injured cells present, while five antibiotics are incorporated to effect selectivity. The broth is used in conjunction with modified CCD agar for the isolation of low numbers of thermophilic campylobacters from food and environmental samples (Slader et al., 2002). The complete medium can be prepared by adding commercially available selective supplement, FBP supplement and defibrinated horse blood to commercially available Bolton broth.