Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: The upper part of Uricult Vet Vet culture media has shrunken approximately 1.5 mm. Is it still usable?
A: You can still use the paddles if the media has not shrunken more than that.
Q: I received Uricult Vet vials where one media is separated from the paddle. Why does the media separate from the paddle?
A: The media usually gets loose if the boxes are handled roughly and the paddles suffer a hard impact from e.g. dropping to the floor. Also freezing may cause this occurrence. In case of freezing the media typically has an "orange-like" surface as result of the freezing. Although freezing is more likely to happen during transportations in winter, it may happen also during summer. In that case the cause is usually storage near cooling systems which may blow very cold air or a too cold refrigerator. Should freezing or separation from of the media occur, do not use and contact LifeSign Technical Service for further instructions.
Q: When opening the Uricult Vet kit I saw that the media had dried out with cracks on the surface. Why does this happen?
A: Based on the description on the problem the most probable reason for the cracked and dry media is freezing.
The description of the problem, dry and cracked surface, suggests strongly that the paddles have been frozen at some point either during transportation or storage. Seeing contaminated paddles in the same box may also be a sign of freezing as the frozen surface gets dull and may look like it would have been colonized heavily.
Should freezing occur, do not use and contact LifeSign Technical Service for further instructions.
Q: Can we use sensitivity discs on Uricult Vet slide?
A: Uricult Vet paddle is not meant for sensitivity testing. In situations where and sensitivity is needed, the Uricult Vet paddle can be used as an excellent transport media to your reference laboratory where a sensitivity can be performed.
Q: I received today for my usual box of Uricult Vet and all the vials seem to have a small amount of a pink liquid at the bottom and along the vial walls. It's that normal?
A: The Uricult Vets contain a lot of water in the agar and when there is temperature fluctuation or draught, it may result in accelerated evaporation of water. This can be seen as liquid in the vial and also small drops on the vial walls. The color of the liquid is a result of the constituents of Uricult Vet. It is a normal phenomenon and should not affect the use of the Uricult Vet product as long as it has not resulted in drying of the agar.
Before you use the Uricult Vets empty the excess water out. You should also check the following:
• The media should not have retracted more than 1.5 mm from the edges of the agar basin and the plastic ridges below the agar should not protrude above the agar surface.
• The media surface must be smooth since freezing may also cause water to accumulate in the tube. In case of freezing the media looks cracked on the surface and cannot be used.
Q: Can Uricult Vet be stored at 2-8°C (refrigerator)?
A: Uricult Vet is best preserved if it is stored at room temperature 45-77°F (7-25°C). The product must not be frozen. Especial care should be taken to avoid draught and temperature fluctuation, which may lead to drying of the media which shortens the shelf-life.
Q: Uricult Vet kits have been mistakenly kept in a refrigerator at 2 -8 °C for a time between one and two weeks. Can the tubes still be used? Is it possible to visually determine if you can still use them?
A: The Uricult Vet kits can most probably be used but the following should be checked.
If there is a lot of liquid on the bottom of the tube or if the media has retracted from the walls of the paddle more than 1.5 mm, the media has probably dried and is not usable anymore.
The paddles should also not be used if the surface of the media is no longer even and smooth but it has cracks. In this case it is probable that the paddles have frozen. The media on the Uricult Vet paddles consist mostly of water and therefore they are very easily frozen if they are kept at a cold temperature for long periods of time.
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