These microorganisms are quite delicate, thus prompting special collection/transport instructions. The following are general recommendations for specimen transport and storage, per Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology14 reference - Note: All recommendations are subject to the specific method's validated standard operating procedure (ie, culture, PCR) in each medical laboratory.
Transport Conditions:
Swabs (genital, rectal, or nasopharyngeal swabs)
- Place immediately into proper transport media (depending on the test method and specific reference laboratory standard procedure); examples include Mycoplasma transport medium, SP-4 broth, or Shepard's 10B broth for ureaplasmas. Most reference labs (including CDC) require a proper swab or 0.5 mL of fluid (Min: 0.3 mL) placed in Mycoplasma/Ureaplasma transport media (Universal Transport Media™, or UTM®). (UTM is composed of a buffered salt and protein solution; antibiotics are added to inhibit the overgrowth of bacteria and yeast.) The alternative is viral transport media (VTM). M4 RT (Microtest - respiratory) collection media for a respiratory source. (M4 media may not be acceptable depending on the laboratory requirements for a specific validated test method. UTM may be a better choice.) Again, always consult the specific laboratory for proper instruction.
Noteworthy comment
Some PCR methods require the use of very specific collection/transport devices. An example of this is the use of the Aptima® swab collection/transport kit.15 Instructions may also indicate a specific amount of urine should be transferred to the specified collection tube. Always seek guidance from the specific laboratory's test details on proper collection for the assay selected.
- Store at 4° C for up to 24 hours
Body fluids/CSF/urine/liquid specimens (eg, bronchial lavage, sputum, tracheal aspirate)
- Transport within 1 hour of collection on ice or at 4° C.
- No transport media required
Tissue (may require mincing...)
- Transport within 1 hour of collection on ice or at 4 ° C.
- No transport media is required (as long as the specimen does not dry out)
Storage Conditions: Generally speaking, specimens may be stored at 4° C for up to 24 hours. After that, specimens should be frozen at -80° C. Always consult the laboratory test menu for specific collection and transport instructions, as this freezing requirement may not always be the case.
14. Tille PM. Bailey & Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology. 15th ed. Elsevier. 2022.
16. CDC/Forrester. Image #15466. "This illustration outlines the contents of a genital mycoplasma transport tube, within which a transport medium is contained that would be inoculated with a specimen suspected of containing Mycoplasma spp. bacteria. Included in the culture broth are the following constituents: Pleuropneumonia-like Organism (PPLO) broth, yeast extract, serum (horse), 0.4% Phenol Red, penicillin (100,000 U/ml), polymyxin (5,000µg/ml), amphotericin (5,000µg/ml). The red color of the broth mixture is imparted by the phenol which is a pH-sensitive color indicator." PHIL public domain. Created 1975. Accessed December 29, 2023. https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=15466
