Studies have demonstrated that the flocked swab design yields significantly more total respiratory epithelial cells and more infected respiratory epithelial cells than does the conventional rayon swab; it also provides adequate numbers of respiratory epithelial cells for diagnosis, whether using oropharyngeal samples or nasopharyngeal samples [ 41- 44].
A laboratory developed, qualitative duplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for rapid detection of OXA-48-like and VIM producing Enterobacteriaceae, performed on rectal swabs, was designed and evaluated in an intensive care unit with endemic presence of OXA-48.
A specially designed swab (Oracol Swab, Malvern Medical, Worcester, UK) was used to collect oral fluid samples, by rubbing the swab over the gum and tooth interface for 1 minute.
Additionally, we evaluated several ante mortem sampling techniques and confirmed that a forensic swab, GenoTube Livestock, designed to preserve DNA during shipping may be a useful tool for diagnostic and surveillance projects, especially in settings where timely transport of diagnostic samples is challenging.
The mitochondrial genomic DNA was extracted from buccal mucosal cells by using buccal cell DNA extraction kit, BuccalQuick™ and specially designed foam swab, Easy-Swab™ (TrimGen, Maryland, USA).
Oral (crevicular) fluid specimens, obtained by wiping a specially designed sponge swab (oral test kit [Oracol; Malvern Medical Developments, Worcester, UK]) around the gum margins, were tested for rubella-specific IgM initially by using a solid-phase IgM antibody capture radioimmunoassay (20 ).
Bristol centre research staff in collaboration with the throat swab manufacturer, Medical Wire Ltd (Wiltshire, UK) designed a kit consisting of a dual bacterial-viral throat swab suitable for use in small children, requiring one sweep either side of the child's throat.
The sampler, designed based on swab sampling, could process trim of ≤1 kg.
A time-course experiment was designed to collect pharyngeal swabs and lung washings from the same animals over two time points.
