Abstract: A culture container having a convenient size for use under a conventional microscope stage. The container having media of a composition and amount effective to induce germ tube production in Cryptococcus. The media, which includes purified saponin, oxgall, a substrate for phenol oxidase, water and ammonia ions, is in an amount up to 5 milliliters at a depth up to 4.5 milliliters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which provide for improved rapid quantitative analysis of a blood sample for the presence of microbial pathogens. The blood sample is lysed and deposited on a high density, water immiscible, hydrophobic, nontoxic, liquid cushioning agent and subjected to centrifugation. Microbial pathogens contained in the lysed blood sample will collect in a layer adjacent the interface of the cushioning agent and the blood sample residue and, in this concentrated form, can easily be separated from the residual portion of the blood sample for culturing and quantitative counting.

Abstract: A method for concentrating and separating microbial pathogens present in a blood sample is provided. Initially, a blood sample is injected into a closed evacuated space within an elongated centrifugation receptacle which comprises a smooth continuous surface at one end thereof. The centrifugation article is then subjected to centrifugation causing any microbial pathogens present in the blood sample to move toward the end of the elongated centrifugation receptacle which comprises the smooth continuous surface and collect thereon. After centrifugation, the major portion of the residual blood sample is removed from the centrifugation receptacle and the separated and concentrated microbial pathogens can then be removed for quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Abstract: Fungal growth media comprising a mixture of oxgall, purified saponin, a substrate for phenol oxidase and a supporting agent, such as agar, are provided which facilitate rapid identification of a variety of pathogenic fungi obtained from a sample of body fluid, for example. Specifically, the growth media of the present invention provides for the rapid differential identification of Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which provide for improved rapid quantitative analysis of a blood sample for the presence of microbial pathogens. The blood sample is lysed and deposited on a high density, water immiscible, hydrophobic, nontoxic, liquid cushioning agent and subjected to centrifugation. Microbial pathogens contained in the lysed blood sample will collect in a layer adjacent the interface of the cushioning agent and the blood sample residue and, in this concentrated form, can easily be separated from the residual portion of the blood sample for culturing and quantitative counting.

Abstract: An in vitro diagnostic technique for quantitative analysis of human sputum, such as lung fluid, for the presence of microbial pathogens is provided wherein a sputum sample is contacted with a minor quantity of nontoxic saponin to degrade the viscosity of the sputum and thereafter the sputum is thoroughly admixed to distribute microbial pathogens generally uniformly therein. The sputum can be diluted as desired and then subjected to conventional analytical techniques, i.e., plating on growth media and recording results.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing fluids especially suitable for use in laboratory tests for the detection of microbial pathogens which includes an elongated centrifugation vessel, an injectable closure, completely enclosing a treating fluid chamber, and a novel stylus which causes a sample to be admixed and commingled with a treating fluid upon injection. The treating fluid is disposed within the treating fluid chamber and a sterile aqueous solution having a greater density than a sample fluid but able to selectively receive microbial pathogens from the sample fluid is disposed within an evacuated space within the centrifugation vessel. The sample is mixed with the treating fluid when the novel stylus is injected through the injectable closure means facilitating contact of the treating fluid and the sample via an aperture or apertures longitudinally spaced along the stylus so as to be within the treating fluid chamber upon injection of the stylus.

Abstract: A mixing and centrifugation device particularly suitable for use in procedures involving detection of microbial pathogens which includes an elongated enclosed centrifugation receptacle containing an evacuated space and having an injectable closure on an end thereof with an enclosed treating fluid chamber disposed in communication and adjacent the injectable closure and separated from the evacuated space by a thin rupturable membrane. A sample treating fluid is carried within the enclosed treating fluid chamber and a sterile aqueous solution having a greater density than a sample fluid but able to selectively receive microbial pathogens from the sample fluid is disposed within the evacuated chamber.