Comparison of 3 swab transport systems for direct release and recovery of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria

The ability to directly release 5 aerobic and 5 anaerobic bacterial strains from 3 swab transport systems was evaluated by a time zero roll-plate method. The Copan ESwab (Copan Diagnostics, Murrieta, CA), a new nylon-flocked swab with Amies liquid medium, yielded greater organism release and recovered approximately 10-fold more microorganisms than the Becton Dickinson (Sparks, MD) CultureSwab MaxV and Remel (Lenexa, KS) BactiSwab. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.