Sample collection method

1. A method for collecting a sample derived from faecal material, comprising contacting the faecal material with a fluid and subsequently collecting a sample of the fluid with a brush or brush-like device having flexible or semi-flexible bristles, wherein the sample of the fluid is collected within the bristles of the brush or brush-like device.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid is water.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein the bristles of the brush or brush-like device have a length of from 0.2 to 3 cm, preferably from 1 to 2 cm.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the sample collected with the brush or brush-like device is transferred to an assay device for subsequent testing.

5. A method according to claim 4 , wherein said assay device is a test device for detecting occult blood or one or more other indicators of a pathological condition in the faecal material from which the sample is derived.

6. A method for the detection of occult blood in faecal material, which comprises the steps of:

i. contacting the faecal material with water to disperse any blood present in or on the faecal material into the water;

ii. subsequently collecting a sample of the water with a brush or brush-like device having flexible or semi-flexible bristles, wherein the sample of water is collected within the bristles of the brush or brush-like device; and

iii. detecting the presence of blood, if any, in the sample.

7. A method according to claim 6 , wherein the presence of blood, if any, in a sample is detected by means of a guaiac test.

8. A method according to claim 6 , wherein the presence of blood, if any, in the sample is detected by means of an immunochromatographic test.