Rising healthcare complications due to fungal infections increase the importance of efficient specimen collection and maintenance systems for correct identification and diagnosis. The CLSI M40-A2 protocol provides guidelines for laboratories assessing quality of medical transport devices, including swab transport systems (STS). This study assessed the efficiency of the Sigma Transwab® foam and flock swab in recovering and maintaining viability of different Candida spp. including C. auris, in different test conditions. Both swab types recovered and maintained viability of all Candida spp. with greater CFU at room temperature after incubation (24 and 48 h) in comparison with swabs maintained at 4 °C.

由于真菌感染引起的医疗保健并发症不断增加，这增加了有效样本收集和维护系统对正确识别和诊断的重要性。CLSI M40-A2 协议为实验室评估医疗运输设备（包括拭子运输系统 (STS)）的质量提供了指南。本研究评估了 Sigma Transwab® 泡沫和绒毛拭子在恢复和维持不同念珠菌属植物活力方面的效率。包括C. auris，在不同的测试条件下。两种拭子类型都恢复并保持了所有念珠菌属的活力。与保持在 4°C 的拭子相比，孵育后（24 和 48 小时）在室温下具有更高的 CFU。