title: Long-term preservation of streptococci.
abstract: Strains of 12 T types of group A streptococci preserved by sand desiccation and stored at 4 degrees to 10 degrees C were regularly sub-cultured to check their viability. For this, streptococci coated onto sand particles mixed with sterile sheep blood were inoculated into Todd-Hewitt broth with added blood and incubated for 24 to 48 h. Checking for viability every six months showed that group A streptococci could be preserved by this method for 21 yr. Our study shows that sand desiccation is a convenient and cheap method for the long-term preservation of streptococci in laboratories where other methods of preservation are not feasible on a regular basis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore.
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Brahmadathan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pandian
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koshi
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002470:Cell Survival; D015925:Cryopreservation; D003890:Desiccation; D011309:Preservation, Biological / Q000379:methods*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D012822:Silicon Dioxide