What is TM (Thayer Martin Broth) primarily used for?

Thayer Martin Broth is specifically formulated as a selective and enriched medium that supports the growth of Neisseria species, particularly Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea. This medium contains antibiotics that inhibit the growth of other bacteria while allowing Neisseria to thrive. The presence of enriched nutrients in the broth caters to the fastidious nature of Neisseria, facilitating the isolation of these organisms from clinical specimens.

The design of Thayer Martin Broth specifically targets Neisseria species by providing a selective environment that other bacterial types find unfavorable. This makes it an essential medium for diagnosing infections caused by Neisseria, highlighting its importance in laboratory settings. In contrast, other options describe functions not associated with Thayer Martin Broth; for instance, it is not intended for isolating gram-positive bacteria or enriching spore-forming bacteria, and it does not serve as an all-encompassing nutrient source for all bacteria. Its use is finely tuned to identify specific pathogens rather than offer indiscriminate growth conditions.