title: Evaluation of bacteriological transport swabs.
abstract: Ten commercial transport swabs were evaluated for their ability to preserve bacteria for 24 and 48 hours. Microorganisms included ATCC strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobes and anaerobes. There was a wide variation in performance. Swabs using Amies plus charcoal medium or Stuart's medium had better recovery rates than those using Amies medium alone. The nature of the tips of the swabs had little influence. Performance was not correlated with cost of the swabs. These data will assist institutions to make cost-effective decisions when purchasing bacteriological transport systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Grove
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000191:economics; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*