Stuart Transport Medium is a medium used in the transport and preservation of specimens

for the cultivation of diverse organisms such as gonococci, streptococci, enterobacteria, etc. 

Approximate Formula:

Directions:

Suspend 16.1g of the medium in one liter of distilled water or deionized water. Mix well and heat with frequent agitation. Sterilize in an autoclave at 121°C(15 lbs) for 15 minutes.

Principle and Interpretation:

The ability of Stuart transport medium to maintain the viability of gonococci during transport led other researchers to explore its use with a variety of specimens. This medium is currently recommended for throat, vaginal and wound samples.

This medium is chemically defined, semisolid, non-nutrient medium which prevent microbial proliferation. Because of its composition the medium ensures that microorganisms present are able to survive for a sufficiently long period of time. Calcium chloride along with sodium glycerophosphate acts as good buffering agent and also maintains osmotic equilibrium in the medium.

Appearance:

Dehydrated medium is a free-flowing white powder. 

The prepared medium is a kind of milkywhite transparent gel.

Precautions:

This medium is for laboratory use only. 

Dried medium which is past shelf life, caking or color variation cannot be used.

Storage conditions and Shelf life:

Stuart Transport Medium must be stored tightly capped in the original container at 5-30°C. The dehydrated medium has a shelf life of 3 years from date of manufacturing. Prepared medium may be stored, out of direct light at 2-8°C.

Quality control:

Cultural characteristics observed after incubation at 20-25°C for 48 hours. 

Remove swabs, streak on prepared blood agar plates and incubate appropriately.

Reference:

1. Stuart, 1946,GlasgowMed. J. 27:131.

2. Stuart, Toshach and Patsula, 1954,Can.J. Public Health, 45:73.

3. Ringertz, 1960, Acta Pathol. Microbiol. Scand., 48:105.

4. Maintenance of Medical Bacteria, Vol. I, Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore