Amies Transport Medium with Charcoal

Amies Transport Medium with Charcoal

Semi-Solid Transport Medium for Fastidious & Fragile Bacteria

Catalog Number: AS-1107

Overview

Amies Transport Medium with Charcoal is a semi-solid, non-nutritive transport medium designed for the collection, preservation, and transport of clinical specimens containing fastidious, fragile, and anaerobic bacteria.

The inclusion of pharmaceutical-grade charcoal adsorbs fatty acids, peroxides, and other toxic metabolites that may accumulate during transport, thereby enhancing bacterial survival. This formulation is particularly effective for delicate organisms such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and various anaerobes.

Amies Transport Medium with Charcoal is widely used in clinical microbiology laboratories and is referenced in CLSI M40-A2 and ISO 11133 for transport system performance evaluation.

Key Features & Benefits

• Charcoal adsorption neutralises inhibitory substances and toxic metabolites

• Supports survival of fastidious and anaerobic organisms

• Maintains redox balance via sodium thioglycollate

• Semi-solid consistency prevents desiccation and overgrowth

• Suitable for extended transport up to 48 hours under appropriate conditions

Typical Applications

Clinical Specimen Transport

• Transport of swabs for aerobic, facultative, fastidious, and anaerobic bacteria

• Recommended for recovery of Neisseria spp. and Haemophilus spp.

Specimen Types

• Wound swabs

• Vaginal, cervical, and urethral swabs

• Eye and ear swabs

• Nasopharyngeal and throat swabs

Quality & Compliance

• Used as a standardised transport medium in laboratories complying with CLSI and ISO guidance

Principle of the Medium

Amies Transport Medium preserves microorganisms by preventing drying, limiting metabolic activity, and maintaining ionic balance. Charcoal adsorbs fatty acids and other toxic by-products, while calcium and magnesium ions stabilise bacterial cell membranes. Sodium thioglycollate helps maintain reduced conditions, supporting anaerobic organism viability during transport.

Composition (per litre)

• Sodium Chloride (NaCl) – 3.0 g

• Potassium Chloride (KCl) – 0.2 g

• Calcium Chloride (CaCl₂) – 0.1 g

• Magnesium Chloride (MgCl₂·6H₂O) – 0.1 g

• Monopotassium Phosphate (KH₂PO₄) – 0.2 g

• Disodium Phosphate (Na₂HPO₄) – 1.15 g

• Sodium Thioglycollate – 1.0 g

• Charcoal (pharmaceutical grade) – 10.0 g

• Agar – 4.0–6.0 g

Final pH: 7.2 ± 0.2 at 25 °C

Preparation

1. Suspend 20.85–22.85 g of dehydrated medium in 1 L purified water

2. Heat with agitation and boil gently for 1 minute to dissolve (do not overheat)

3. Dispense into tubes while hot

4. Sterilise by autoclaving at 121 °C for 15 minutes

5. Cool to 45–50 °C, mix thoroughly to resuspend charcoal

6. Aseptically dispense into sterile tubes containing swabs

7. Allow medium to solidify in an upright position

Storage & Stability

• Store prepared tubes at 2–25 °C (preferably 4–8 °C)

• Protect from light and dehydration

• Shelf life: 6–12 months under recommended storage conditions

• Discard if medium becomes dry, cracked, or contaminated

Recommended Holding Times (CLSI M40-A2 Guidance)

• Neisseria gonorrhoeae: ≤ 24 hours at room temperature

• Most other organisms: ≤ 48 hours at room temperature or 4 °C

Intended Use

For laboratory and research use only.
Not for direct diagnostic use without appropriate validation.
Not for food, therapeutic, or veterinary applications.

Quality & Documentation

• Manufactured under controlled conditions for batch consistency

• Certificate of Analysis (COA) available

• Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available upon request

Customs & Trade Information

HS / AHECC Code: 3821.00.00
Prepared culture media for development or maintenance of microorganisms