Environmental sampling articles and methods

摘要

The present invention refers to articles for collecting samples from a surface, articles for microbiological analyses of said samples, and methods of use of said articles. The articles include sample collectors, sample housings with optional barrier layers, and sample-ready reagent strips comprising hydrophilic agents to grow and detect microorganisms. The disclosure includes methods to collect, detect, and quantify microorganisms in a surface sample.

主权项

1. A method for detecting microorganisms on an environmental surface, the method comprising:
providing;
a barrier layer;a sample-suspending medium;a sample collector comprising a substrate with upper and lower major surfaces wherein at least one major surface is water-impervious;a sample housing comprising:
a bottom member comprising a self-supporting substrate with upper and lower major surfaces;a cover sheet comprising a substrate with upper and lower major surfaces wherein at least part of one major surface is coated with a cold water soluble powder including at least one gelling agent; anda reagent strip comprising a self-supporting substrate with upper and lower major surfaces wherein at least part of one major surface is coated with a cold water soluble gelling agent and a hydrophilic agent selected from the group consisting of a nutrient for growing microorganisms, a selective agent, an indicator, and combinations of any two or more of the foregoing; obtaining a sample on at least one major surface of the sample collector; forming an assembly by placing the sample-collector into the sample housing with the at least one major surface comprising the sample oriented toward the cover sheet; applying the sample-suspending medium to the sample collector major surface comprising the sample; inserting the water-resistant barrier layer between the sample collector and the cover sheet, thereby preventing the sample-suspending medium from contacting at least a part of the cover sheet; incubating the assembly for a period of time; removing at least a portion of the barrier layer from the sample housing; contacting the lower major surface of the cover sheet with the sample-suspending medium to form a hydrated gel; placing a coated surface of the reagent strip in contact with the hydrated gel; incubating the sample housing for a period of time; and observing an indicator of microbial growth.