Silica Desiccant Packets for Storage and Transport of <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> and Other Clinically Relevant Species

<div><p>Bacterial isolates are often transported between laboratories for research and diagnostic purposes. Silica desiccant packets (SDPs), which are inexpensive and do not require freezing, were evaluated for storage and recovery of bacterial isolates. Conditions such as inoculum size, swab type and temperature of storage were investigated using ten <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> isolates. The optimized protocol was then tested using 49 additional <i>S. pneumoniae</i> isolates representing 40 serogroups. Overall, <i>S. pneumoniae</i> growth was considered satisfactory (>100 colony forming units) for 98/109 (89.9%) and 20/20 (100%) swabs after 14 days at room temperature or 28 days at 4° C, respectively. Storage in SDPs did not impact on the ability of <i>S. pneumoniae</i> isolates to be subsequently serotyped. When the survival of nine other clinically relevant bacterial species was tested, seven were viable after 28 days at room temperature, the exceptions being <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i> and <i>Haemophilus influenzae</i>. SDPs are suitable for transport and short-term storage of bacterial species including <i>S. pneumoniae</i>.</p> </div

Nasopharyngeal carriage prevalence (%) of <i>S</i>. <i>pneumoniae</i>, <i>H</i>. <i>influenzae</i>, <i>M</i>. <i>catarrhalis</i>, and <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> in Indonesian children aged 12–24 months.

<p>Results are shown by region (Bandung, Padang, and Lombok). Error bars represent 95%CI.</p

Median density in log₁₀ genome equivalents/ml of pneumococcus (SP), <i>H</i>. <i>influenzae</i> (HI), and <i>M</i>. <i>catarrhalis</i> (MC) when found with (+) or without (-) another species.

<p>Median density in log₁₀ genome equivalents/ml of pneumococcus (SP), <i>H</i>. <i>influenzae</i> (HI), and <i>M</i>. <i>catarrhalis</i> (MC) when found with (+) or without (-) another species.</p

Characteristics of study participants.

<p>Characteristics of study participants.</p

The twenty most common pneumococcal serotypes identified in nasopharyngeal swabs collected from Indonesian children aged 12–24 months, shown by region (Bandung, Padang, and Lombok).

<p>* indicates serotypes included in PCV10 and ⁺ indicates the additional three serotypes included in PCV13.</p