Microbiological evaluation of the vacuum probe surface sampler.

The development of the vacuum probe, a new device for surface sampling, was recently reported. The original technique was slightly modified and a microbiological evaluation was conducted. The probe proved to be an effective sampling device, removing 98% and recovering 88% of surface contaminants resulting from the accumulation of airborne microorganisms. The probe was decidedly less effective in removing and recovering handling contamination than fallout contamination. There was also evidence that certain microorganisms could not survive prolonged exposure to airflow in the probe. However, the vacuum probe procedure recovered twice as many microorganisms as did the swab-rinse technique when compared directly.