Sterility testing of immunological products: comparative efficacy of media and effect of preservatives.

ABSTRACT

A comparison was made of the abilities of various culture media to support the growth of a range of micro-organisms commonly recommended as control strains in tests for the sterility of immunological products. The effects of phenol, cresol, formaldehyde and thiomersal on the growth of these organisms were studied. Attention is drawn to some limitations of the current pharmacopoeial test methods.