For example, swabbing of dust-ridden surfaces may have indicated the underlying air quality in terms of fungal spores in the preceding months when infection may have occurred.
In some clinical studies, two or more virus types were detected by different sampling methods; for example, throat swabs [ 17], NW [ 33], nasopharyngeal aspirates [ 34], or nasal swabs [ 35].
For example, nasal swabs have proved effective for detection of Aujeszky disease virus in domestic pigs but not in feral pigs [ 110].
Apart from coughing, clinical signs, like nasal discharge, were so mild that only through closer observation or handling of the pig, for example nasal swabbing, could the signs be detected.
For example, a Dacron swab with a fine flexible wire shaft, and not calcium alginate, is the recommended swab.
Moreover, false sampling was not checked for by, for example, placing the swab on a standard sheep blood agar, which detects whether any viable microorganisms are present on the swab.
In addition to providing data on what the optimal methods are, this work also showed that there are some sample collection and transport methods which should be avoided, for example using foam swabs with PBS and transporting swabs dry.
For participants in microbial research, most human microbiome samples will be gathered through noninvasive or minimally invasive means, for example, only include skin/brushes, oral swabs, saliva collection, nasal swabs, vaginal swabs and fecal self-collection.
Sampling more frequently, for example by daily oral swabs [10], might reveal differences between these two groups of patients in the frequency and duration of herpesvirus replication.
Compared to urines, urethral swabs, for example, could more efficiently sample organisms that tightly adhere to epithelial cells or those which reside in biofilms.
