[A standard tampon for quantitative studies of mixed anaerobic-aerobic microflora]

A tampon made of the new spongy polyvinyl-formal AQUIPOR 3500/40 is suggested for quantitative studies of mixed anaerobic-aerobic microflora. Comparison of the adsorption characteristics, the preservation of the tested pathologic material during the collection and transportation of the material, and the potential antibacterial characteristics of the suggested tampon and the traditional cotton wool tampons has shown the advantages of the new tampon, that permits standardization of the investigation by the quantitative bacteriologic method and preserves both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms viable. This tampon may be used in studies of purulent wound and periodontal pocket microflora.