Question:
Which should be the correct use of tripled packed contact plate / Petri dish in isolator for active air monitoring?
Answer:
-Introduction
The contact plates/Petri dishes used in Isolator for air monitoring are tripled packed and gamma irradiated to avoid possible contamination in protected areas. They are packed in boxes of 2 x 10 plates, are impermeable to H2O2 vapor and have a constant volume di agar.
Each package is identified with the name and catalog number of the product, expiration date, lot number to guarantee and facilitate the identification and shelf-life control.
The storage is at room temperature and the shelf-life is 6 months from the date of production.
-Determination of airborne yeasts and moulds
Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA)
Composition with neutralizers and in compliance with the harmonized recommendations of the 3 Pharmacopeas.
-Determination of airborne micro-organisms (Total Bacterial Count)
Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA)
Composition with neutralizers and in compliance with the harmonized recommendations of the 3 Pharmacopeas.
-Protocol
1. Open the first external part of the packing before the introduction in the airlock.
2. The second protection of the packing is open inside the airlock.
3. The third protection of the packing is open inside the protected area.
4. Disconnect the perforated stainless / steel or “Daily” aspiration head from the “SAS Surface Air System” (DUO-SAS-360 Isolator).
5. Insert the contact plate / Petri dish inside the aspiration chamber of “SAS Isolator”.
6. Take the lid off from the contact plate / Petri dish.
7. Re-apply the perforated aspiration head to “SAS Isolator” sampler.
8. Execute the programmed sampling cycle.
9. Repeat in reverse order the operations 7. 6. 5. 4.
10. The contact plate / Petri dish is inserted in the stainless steel rack and transferred to the microbiological laboratory for incubation. | 
