I want to check out if E. coli in a stool sample would survive if a small sample is collected on chromatography filter paper (used for wiping like toilet paper) and wetted with sterile saline before sending to laboratory via mail (approved mailing of biological sample). Potentially culture or PCR afterwards. Thanks
Hello. E coli can survive in saline solution without any problem even till 6,5% saline solution concentration.
I am assuming you are wetting the paper, then packaging it wet before shipping - and this will reduce the osmotic stress mentioned. My experience with E. coli is that drying can kill E. coli within 24 hours, and most would be dead within 48. I would do a quick check on your exact procedures (use EMB or similar to see how long they survive and are still culturable), but you might also find that packing them close to freezing might make them more likely to survive in the moist package.
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