The Use of Flocked Swabs with a Protective Medium Increases the Recovery of Live Brucella spp. and DNA Detection

Abstract

In order to protect public and veterinary health from highly zoonotic bacteria such as members of the genus Brucella and prevent their dissemination into the environment, direct diagnostics are of utmost importance. However, in addition to the highly specific diagnostic tests, the sampling methods, time necessary for specimens to reach the laboratories, and transport conditions are important factors to consider in order to increase the sensitivity of performed tests, especially bacterial culturing and qPCR.

Diagnosis of Renibacterium salmoninarum infection in harvested Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) on the east coast of Canada: Clinical findings, sample collection methods and laboratory diagnostic tests

“…Similar to our study, recent reports have demonstrated that other aerobic, fastidious bacterial organisms like Mycoplasma species and Brucella species were preserved better without a transport medium (Ball et al, 2020; Freddi et al, 2021). On the contrary to our findings, the addition of a transport medium, such as Amies or Stuart medium, has been shown to better preserve bacterial species by inactivating toxic substances or by keeping the swab fibres moist during transport to the laboratory (Barber et al, 1998; Barry et al, 1972; Drake et al, 2005).…”