Abstract: Culture media for microorganisms containing blood or hemin, particularly Trypticase Soy Agar with blood, and chocolate agar, are combined with known chromogenic substrates to produce chromogenic media. Methods for preparing these chromogenic media include adding chromogenic substrates to the surface of previously prepared media, or incorporating the chromogenic substrate into the media as it is prepared. Methods for distinguishing microorganisms in a sample using these culture media are also described.

Abstract: Culture media for microorganisms containing blood or hemin, particularly Trypticase Soy Agar with blood, and chocolate agar, are combined with known chromogenic substrates to produce chromogenic media. Methods for preparing these chromogenic media include adding chromogenic substrates to the surface of previously prepared media, or incorporating the chromogenic substrate into the media as it is prepared. Methods for distinguishing microorganisms in a sample using these culture media are also described.

Abstract: A microbiological culture collection and transport device maintains viable organisms for periods of time longer than possible with existing sampling devices. It also allows recovery of detectable antigen at levels not achievable with conventional swabs. The new device has a sterile swabbing tip made with a non-toxic polyurethane foam having open cells at its exposed surface. It does not require a transport medium and can be used dry. The device may further include a sample inoculator to distribute organisms collected onto a solid or semi solid medium. Methods for collecting and transporting microbiological specimens and for recovering detectable antigen are also described.

Abstract: A microbiological culture collection and transport device maintains viable organisms for periods of time longer than possible with existing sampling devices. It also allows recovery of detectable antigen at levels not achievable with conventional swabs. The new device has a sterile swabbing tip made with a non-toxic polyurethane foam having open cells at its exposed surface. It does not require a transport medium and can be used dry. The device may further include a sample inoculator to distribute organisms collected onto a solid or semi solid medium. Methods for collecting and transporting microbiological specimens and for recovering detectable antigen are also described.

Abstract: A self-contained specimen collecting and transporting unit is provided which has all of the advantages of the known specimen collecting and transporting units and which is characterized by the ability to preserve microorganisms during the transporting thereof in the transporting unit. The improved specimen collecting and transporting unit has a pledget composed of carbon fiber. The use of a carbon fiber pledget has been found to have a synergistic effect in preserving the viability of microorganisms which are obtained by use of the swab of the specimen collecting and transporting unit.