4.3.2 Incubation temperature

Most animal pathogens are mesophiles with optimal growth at of 30–37°C (range: 20–45°C). For this reason, laboratories routinely incubate media at approximately the normal body temperature, between 35 and 37°C.

Lower or higher incubation temperatures are used to target specific organisms. For instance:

• incubation at 4°C may be used for the ‘cold’ enrichment of psychrophilic species such as Yersinia enterocolitica/Y. pseudotuberculosis and Listeria monocytogenes
• incubation at 42°C for the selective enrichment of thermophilic Campylobacter species such as C. jejuni.

Should simultaneous incubation at different temperatures be required, the use of separate incubators is necessary.