Efficiency of a Transport Medium for the Recovery of Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacteria from Applicator Swabs

Abstract

The survival of four aerobic and four anaerobic pathogens was evaluated quantitatively on cotton swabs and calcium alginate swabs stored in dry tubes as compared with swabs stored in Amies Transport Medium without charcoal. Survival of the pathogens was markedly improved when stored in Amies Transport Medium, although there was considerable loss of viability after a few hours of storage.