Swab Samples

Published: June 4th, 2009

Revised: January 29th, 2019

Swab samples for mycological analysis must be taken using dry swabs re-packaged in transport tubes without transport medium. The types of swabs used by physicians for clinical specimens should not be used for the collection of environmental fungal samples.

For the collection of bacterial swab samples, we recommend the use of Amies gel transport medium without charcoal. In our experience, this is the best general purpose transport medium for bacterial swab samples. We can ship out suitable collection swabs at a nominal charge, or direct you to a suitable brand and supplier. Swab samples must be received at the laboratory no later than 48 hours after the samples were taken. We regret we cannot process samples received beyond this time-frame.