Cary-Blair transport medium

Cary-Blair transport medium is a solution used to preserve fecal clinical specimens and rectal swabs after collection. The medium was devised by Sylvia G. Cary and Eugene B. Blair in 1964.[1], who noted it allowed for longer-term recovery of Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio, and Pasteurella than other transport media.

Cary-Blair transport medium is a modification of a solution devised by R.D. Stuart, S.R. Toshach and T.M. Patsula in 1954[2] which allowed for high recoverability of Gonococci from fecal samples. Cary and Blair noted Stuart, Toshach and Patsula's medium and other solutions that allowed for long-term recovery of pathogens from feces were characterized by low nutrient content, low oxidation-reduction potential, and high pH.

As of 2024, the use of Cary-Blair transport medium is recommended by the United States Center for Disease Control for laboratory testing of epidemic dysentery and cholera if culture will not begin within two hours[3]

  1. ^ Cary, S. G.; Blair, E. B. (1964). "NEW TRANSPORT MEDIUM FOR SHIPMENT OF CLINICAL SPECIMENS I. : Fecal Specimens". Journal of Bacteriology. 88 (1): 96–98. doi:10.1128/jb.88.1.96-98.1964. PMC 277262. PMID 14197911.
  2. ^ STUART RD; TOSHACH SR; PATSULA TM (1954). "The problem of transport of specimens for culture of Gonococci". Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Sante Publique. 45 (2): 73–83. PMID 13126855.
  3. ^ Laboratory Methods for the Diagnosis of Epidemic Dysentery and Cholera (Manual) (PDF). United States CDC. June 26, 2024. p. 7.