Preserving the motility of microorganisms

Oral Microbiol Immunol. 1991 Apr;6(2):107-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-302x.1991.tb00460.x.

Abstract

This study focused on several factors that may influence the percentage of motile microorganisms in a sample from the tongue determined using a phase-contrast microscope. It was found that the time elapsing between sampling and analysis is crucially important. In both sterile saline and reduced transport fluid (RTF), a reduction of the percentage of motile microorganisms was found within 15-30 min after sampling respectively. In order to be able to prolong the time interval between sampling and analysis, it was found that storing a sample in a tuberculin syringe with RTF supplemented with Fildes extract preserved the motility of the microorganisms and gave no significant reduction in the percentage of motiles within 48 h.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriological Techniques*
  • Cell Movement
  • Culture Media
  • Dental Plaque / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Phase-Contrast
  • Specimen Handling
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Culture Media