BIOLOGICAL TRANSPORT SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Disclosed herein is an improved system and method for transporting biological samples, including a unique transport medium configured to protect bacterial viability and optimize sample quality which greatly enhances diagnostic accuracy. The improved system and methods can include a transport media, improved collection tube including a screen and sampling brush, and an improved transport case. The improved systems and methods allows samples to be frozen and thawed while preserving cellular wall integrity during transport or storage, and furthermore can preserve the survival of the bacterial sample, which dramatically increases the ability of the lab to correctly identify the infectious agent. The improved systems and methods allow for samples to be incubated at 37 degrees Celsius for up to 24 hours in order to increase the density of bacteria in samples with low initial bacterial density at collection. The described features of the improved systems and methods dramatically increase the ability of the diagnostic laboratory to correctly identify the infectious agent.