title: Factors contributing to loss of anaerobic bacteria in transit from the patient to the laboratory.
abstract: Care and attention to detail in the sampling, transit and submission of a specimen for anaerobic bacteriological investigation are of paramount importance. The swab is a relatively inefficient sampling device and is often abused. A transport system may help, but a full evaluation of our sampling and transport methodology is needed and this will be influenced by local circumstances.
mesh_terms: D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001438:Bacteroidaceae / Q000254:growth & development; D003013:Clostridium / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D013048:Specimen Handling