Long-term survival of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis as isolates and in nasopharyngeal specimens in frozen STGG storage medium.
We evaluated survival in WHO-recommended STGG storage medium of bacteria causing respiratory-tract infection. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Moraxella catarrhalis survived as single and mixed isolates stored at -70°C for 12.5 years, but Haemophilus influenzae less than 4 years. All the bacteria survived in the nasopharyngeal specimens at -70°C for 11 years.
National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Department of Health Protection, P.O. Box 310, FI-90101, Oulu, Finland. Electronic address: tarja.kaijalainen@thl.fi.
Tarja
T
Kaijalainen
National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Department of Health Protection, Finn-Medi I, Biokatu 6, 33520 Tampere, Finland. Electronic address: arto.palmu@thl.fi.
Arto
A
Palmu
D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D005615:Freezing; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001936:Moraxella catarrhalis / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000382:microbiology*; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013997:Time Factors
D003470:Culture Media
Deep-freeze; Long-term survival; Respiratory-tract bacteria; STGG storage medium