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HiCulture™ Transport Swabs w/ Amies Medium w/ Charcoal
Ready Prepared Collection and Transport Media#CC293D
Intended Use
Recommended for recovery of aerobic, anaerobic and fastidious bacteria from throat, vaginal and wound specimens.
Composition
* Ingredients
| Ingredients | Gms / Litre |
|---|---|
| Sodium chloride | 3.000 |
| Potassium chloride | 0.200 |
| Calcium chloride | 0.100 |
| Magnesium chloride | 0.100 |
| Potassium dihydrogen phosphate | 0.200 |
| Disodium hydrogen phosphate | 1.150 |
| Sodium thioglycollate | 1.000 |
| Charcoal | 10.000 |
| Agar | 4.000 |
| Final pH (at 25°C) | 7.2±0.2 |
**Formula adjusted, standardized to suit performance parameters
Directions
Using the capped swab, provided along with the media containing tube, collect the sample to be transported. Discard the cap of the tube and insert the capped swab with the sample till the bottom of the medium. Tighten the cap firmly. The specimen will be preserved during transportation and also the viability of the organisms will be maintained but it will diminish over the time. Some growth of contaminants may occur during longer period of transport. After the transportation, the specimen should be inoculated in proper medium as soon as possible. The cultures on transport swabs must not be kept at room temperature for more than 24 hours.
Principle And Interpretation
Effective recovery of microorganisms and its identification is dependent on a number of factors such as collection and transportation to the laboratory under conditions which allow maintenance of viability. Amies transport medium w/ charcoal is a modification of Stuarts Transport Medium (1,2,3,4). The medium gives improved recovery of Neisseria gonorrhoeae due to presence of charcoal in the medium. Charcoal neutralizes the toxic effects of material that may hamper growth of pathogens. Addition of inorganic phosphate buffer and sodium chloride make this medium different from stuarts transport medium. Calcium and magnesium salts control the permeability of bacterial cells. Presence of sodium thioglycollate and small amounts of agar provide a reduced environment. Sterile cotton swabs allow absorption of specimen material while polylpropylene shaft allows semiflexibility to the swab stick, aiding in collection.
Type of specimen
Clinical samples - Throat, Vaginal secretions, Wound swabs, etc.
Specimen Collection and Handling
For clinical samples follow appropriate techniques for handling specimens as per established guidelines (5,6).
After use, contaminated materials must be sterilized by autoclaving before discarding.
Warning and Precautions
In Vitro diagnostic Use only. For professional use only. Read the label before opening the container. Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/ face protection. Follow good microbiological lab practices while handling specimens and culture. Standard precautions as per established guidelines should be followed while handling clinical specimens. Safety guidelines may be referred in individual safety data sheets.
Limitations
- Further recovery from this enriched medium onto selective media is required.
- The medium should be kept cool but do not freeze.
- Further biochemical identification is necessary for confirmation.
Performance and Evaluation
Performance of the medium is expected when used as per the direction on the label within the expiry period when stored at recommended temperature.
Quality Control
Appearance
Sterile Amies medium with charcoal in tubes with sterile viscous swabs.
Colour
Black coloured medium
Quantity of Medium
8ml of medium in tubes
Reaction
7.00-7.40
Sterility Check
Passes release criteria
Cultural response
Viability of following organisms was established for a period of 48 hours. Organisms grew luxuriantly when recovered on Tryptone Soya Agar (M290) and incubated at 35 - 37 °C for 18-24 hours.
| Organism | Recovery |
|---|---|
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 (00025*) | Luxuriant |
| Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (00013*) | Luxuriant |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883 (00097*) | Luxuriant |
| Neisseria meningitidis ATCC 13090 | Luxuriant |
| Salmonella Typhi ATCC 6539 | Luxuriant |
| Shigella flexneri ATCC 12022 (00126*) | Luxuriant |
| Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus ATCC 25923 (00034*) | Luxuriant |
Key: (*) Corresponding WDCM numbers.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store between 5-30°C. Use before expiry date on the label. Product performance is best if used within stated expiry period.
Disposal
User must ensure safe disposal by autoclaving and/or incineration of used or unusable preparations of this product. Follow established laboratory procedures in disposing of infectious materials and material that comes into contact with clinical sample must be decontaminated and disposed of in accordance with current laboratory techniques (5,6).
| Product Name | HiCulture™ Transport Swabs w/ Amies Medium w/ Charcoal |
|---|---|
| SKU | MS651 |
| Customized Product Available | No |

