An Evaluation of Faecal Transport Swabs Using the Swab Elution Method in Accordance With Approved Standard CLSI M40 A2

Reliable recovery and preservation of enteric pathogens are essential for accurate gastrointestinal diagnostics. This study evaluated three faecal transport swab systems—MWE SIGMA-FECAL TRANSWAB®, MWE SIGMA-FECAL TRANSWAB® PurFlock®, and Copan FecalSwab™—using the CLSI M40-A2 quantitative elution method with Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Shigella flexneri. Devices were assessed over 72 hours at both refrigerated (4°C) and room temperature conditions. All three swabs maintained acceptable recovery at 4°C and met CLSI M40-A2 requirements. At room temperature, MWE SIGMA-FECAL TRANSWAB® demonstrated stable recovery for all organisms with less than a 1 log change over 72 hours, while MWE SIGMA-FECAL TRANSWAB® PurFlock® remained compliant for S. typhimurium and S. flexneri. In contrast, Copan FecalSwab™ showed significant organism overgrowth at room temperature, exceeding CLSI acceptance criteria. These findings demonstrate that MWE SIGMA-FECAL TRANSWAB® provides reliable recovery and preservation of enteric pathogens during transport, supporting accurate diagnostic testing while minimizing the risk of bacterial overgrowth.