Amies transport medium: composition, preparation and uses
- This is a transport medium used to preserve the viability of anaerobes such as Neisseria gonorrhea and other pathogens from swabs.
- Amies transport is a modification of Stuart’s transport medium. The glycerophosphate in stuart’s medium has been replaced with inorganic phosphate buffer. Amies medium also contains charcoal that absorbs inhibitory substances released in the medium during transport of sample.
Composition of Ames transport medium
- Charcoal ……………………………… 10.0 gram/litre
- Sodium chloride ………………… 3.0 gram/litre
- Sodium hydrogen phosphate ………… 1.15 gram/litre
- Potassium dihydrogen phosphate ….. 0.2 gram/litre
- Potassium chloride ………………………… 0.2 gram/litre
- Sodium thioglycollate ……………………. 1.0 gram/litre
- Calcium chloride …………………………….. 0.1 gram/litre
- Magnesium chloride ………………………. 0.11 gram/litre
- Agar ………………………………………………… 4.0 gram/litre
- pH …………………………………………………… 7.1 – 7.3
Preparation of Amies transport medium:
Ames transport is prepared from dehydrated medium obtained from manufacturer with instructions.
- Dissolve the required amount of ames transport medium in distilled water and mix well
- Dispense the medium in screw cap bottles
- Autoclave the bottles at 121C for 15 minutes with cap loosen
- When medium has cooled down, tighten the cap of bottle and store with labelled date and batch. During storage, invert the bottle to ensure even distribution of charcoal.
- Stored Ames transport medium can be used up to 9 months
Uses of Amies transport medium:
- Used to transport anaerobes (such as Neisseria gonorrhoae and others) from cotton swab
- Collect the sample on sterile cotton swab and immense in Amies transport medium, cutting off the swab stick to allow bottle to capped tightly
- Transport to laboratory within 24 hours