# Hektoen enteric agar

> selective and differential agar primarily used to recover Salmonella and Shigella from patient specimens

**Wikidata**: [Q4115320](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4115320)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hektoen_enteric_agar)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hektoen-enteric-agar

## Summary
Hektoen enteric agar is a selective and differential growth medium used to isolate *Salmonella* and *Shigella* bacteria from patient specimens. It is classified as a growth medium and has aliases such as HEK, HE, HEA, and *Agar enterico de Hektoen*. The agar is primarily employed in clinical microbiology to recover these pathogens from clinical samples.

## Key Facts
- Hektoen enteric agar is a **growth medium** used for the cultivation of microorganisms.
- It is **selective and differential**, meaning it promotes the growth of target pathogens (*Salmonella* and *Shigella*) while inhibiting others.
- The agar is primarily used to **recover *Salmonella* and *Shigella* from patient specimens**.
- It has multiple aliases, including **HEK, HE, HEA, and *Agar enterico de Hektoen***.
- The entity is linked to **Wikidata** and has a **Wikipedia page** in multiple languages (English, Spanish, French, Arabic, etc.).
- It is categorized under **Hektoen enteric agar** in Wikimedia Commons.
- The agar was referenced in a **Freebase entry** (ID: /m/03wdkb2) published on **October 28, 2013**.
- It has been associated with a **Microsoft Academic ID (2776264137, now discontinued)**.

## FAQs
**What is Hektoen enteric agar used for?**
Hektoen enteric agar is a selective and differential growth medium designed to isolate *Salmonella* and *Shigella* bacteria from clinical samples, making it essential for diagnostic microbiology.

**Is Hektoen enteric agar specific to certain pathogens?**
Yes, it is specifically formulated to selectively grow *Salmonella* and *Shigella* while suppressing other bacteria, enhancing the detection of these pathogens in clinical specimens.

**What are the common aliases for Hektoen enteric agar?**
The agar is also known as HEK, HE, HEA, and *Agar enterico de Hektoen*, reflecting its widespread use in microbiological laboratories.

**Where can I find more information about Hektoen enteric agar?**
Detailed information is available on its **Wikipedia page**, which exists in multiple languages, and in **Wikimedia Commons** under the category *Hektoen enteric agar*.

## Why It Matters
Hektoen enteric agar plays a critical role in clinical microbiology by enabling the accurate detection of *Salmonella* and *Shigella*, which are significant causes of foodborne and waterborne illnesses. Its selective and differential properties make it indispensable for diagnosing infections in both clinical and public health settings. The agar’s standardized use ensures consistency in diagnostic results, supporting effective treatment and outbreak control.

## Notable For
- **Selective and differential medium**: Specifically designed to isolate *Salmonella* and *Shigella* from complex clinical samples.
- **Widespread use**: Known by multiple aliases (HEK, HE, HEA, *Agar enterico de Hektoen*) in microbiological laboratories globally.
- **Linked to academic databases**: Referenced in **Wikidata, Freebase, and Microsoft Academic** (now discontinued), indicating its recognition in scientific literature.
- **Multilingual documentation**: Available in **nine languages** on Wikipedia, reflecting its global relevance.

## Body
### Classification and Function
Hektoen enteric agar is classified as a **growth medium**, a type of medium used to cultivate microorganisms. It is **selective and differential**, meaning it selectively promotes the growth of *Salmonella* and *Shigella* while inhibiting other bacteria. This property makes it highly effective for isolating these pathogens from clinical specimens.

### Aliases and Nomenclature
The agar is known by several aliases, including **HEK, HE, HEA, and *Agar enterico de Hektoen***. These variations reflect its widespread use in microbiological laboratories and its recognition across different regions and languages.

### Digital Presence and References
Hektoen enteric agar is documented in **Wikidata** and has a **Wikipedia page** available in multiple languages, including **English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Indonesian, Japanese, Romanian, and Thai**. It is also categorized in **Wikimedia Commons** under *Hektoen enteric agar*. Additionally, it was referenced in **Freebase (ID: /m/03wdkb2)** on **October 28, 2013**, and was associated with a **Microsoft Academic ID (2776264137)**, which is now discontinued.

### Applications in Microbiology
The agar is primarily used in **clinical microbiology** to recover *Salmonella* and *Shigella* from patient specimens. Its selective and differential properties ensure accurate detection of these pathogens, which are important causes of foodborne and waterborne diseases. This makes Hektoen enteric agar a critical tool in diagnostic laboratories worldwide.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013