Comparison of the eSwab collection and transportation system to an amies gel transystem for Gram stain of clinical specimens.

Background: The first step in routine microbiology laboratory procedures is the collection and safe transportation of swab samples. This can be accomplished using ESwab Collection and Transport System (Copan Italia, Brescia -Italy). The aim of the present study was to compare the results of microscopic examination of gram stain smears prepared directly from clinical specimens, collected and transported in the ESwab, with those obtained using Amies Agar gel Transystem without charcoal (Copan).

Potential species identification by allozyme/protein markers in European spined loaches.

Samples from 37 populations of spined loach (Cobitis) pure species and their hybrid complexes - were examined using gel electrophoresis for the interspecific variability in 27 protein coding loci. Up to now, species-specific and species distinguishing variants in different protein/enzyme loci were found in Cobitis bilineata, C. elongata, C.