Long-Term Preservation of Fungal Isolates in Commercially Prepared Cryogenic Microbank Vials

Since 1994, 6,198 yeasts and 391 molds belonging to 25 and 37 species, respectively, were stored in Microbank cryogenic vials at >/=-130 degrees C in liquid nitrogen and at -70 degrees C in a freezer. All of the isolates, with the exception of 45 yeasts and 15 dermatophytes, were recovered from both storage temperatures. Good reproducibility was demonstrated for amphotericin B, fluconazole, and voriconazole MICs determined for random isolates.