For phage therapy to work, there is no room for chance: a phagogram must be performed. This sensitivity test identifies the bacteriophages capable of destroying your bacterial strain.

But be careful: transporting a bacterium is no trivial matter. It is an operation subject to very strict international and national laws. Here is everything you need to know to remain compliant with the law and maximize your chances of recovery.

What the Law Says: Risks and Sanctions

Some patients, out of desperation or a lack of knowledge, attempt to send their samples via regular mail This is a serious mistake.

The Legal Prohibition.

In Europe (and according to IATA/ADR international standards), a pathogenic bacterium is considered a hazardous material. Its transport is governed by the Public Health Code and the Penal Code

• The Sanction: In France, shipping infectious materials without complying with declaration and packaging requirements is punishable by penalties of up to 12 months’ imprisonment and/or a fine, and on conviction on indictment to up to 2 years’ imprisonment and/or a fine( see Regulations 5 and 32A)
• Endangering others: If your package leaks and contaminates a sorting agent or a crew member, you can be prosecuted for ‘endangering the lives of others
• Customs Seizure: Any suspicious package is systematically destroyed by customs authorities, with no possibility of appeal

Conclusion: Do not gamble with the law. For your request to succeed, you must use certified UN3373 (Category B) channels

Option 1: The Diagnostic Trip (The ‘Gold Standard’)

If your health condition allows you to travel, going to Tbilisi for the sampling is the most scientifically reliable solution

• Strain Viability: A bacterium sampled on-site does not undergo the stress of transport. It is cultured immediately, which guarantees a phagogram of surgical precision.
• Access to the complete phage library: From a distance, standard cocktails are often the only ones tested. On-site, if these fail, the laboratories of our partner centers in Georgia can draw from their immense reserve of isolated phages (thousands of strains) to find the one that will save you.
• Meeting with the experts: You discuss your protocol directly with the Georgian doctors who interpret the results

Option 2: Laboratory Transfer (The Isolate)

If you are unable to travel, you can ask your regular diagnostic laboratory to prepare the shipment. This is the most ‘professional’ option, but it requires the cooperation of the clinical pathologist, who is often well aware of the global stakes of antibiotic resistance.

The Required Technical Protocol:

1. Subculturing on ‘Slanted Agar’: The laboratory must grow the bacteria on a solid medium (agar) inside a screw-cap tube sealed with Parafilm. This is much more stable and secure than a liquid broth
2. The Transfer Agreement: The laboratory must include a declaration certifying that the strain is not ‘Category A’ (bioterrorism agents).
3. The Authorized Carrier: The laboratory must hand over the package to a specialized medical courier (e.g., DHL Medical Express). This is the only legal route.

Option 3: ‘Direct Patient’ Sampling (The Alternative)

This is the solution to bypass a local laboratory’s refusal. You take back control of your sample—a method often used to treat conditions such as chronic urinary tract infections or staph infections

1. The Procedure: You have a fresh sample taken by a private nurse with a prescription (urine, pus, swab)
2. The UN3373 Kit: The nurse places the sample in a certified triple-packaging kit (leak-proof primary receptacle + absorbent secondary packaging + certified rigid outer box).
3. Shipping: You contact the medical courier yourself to arrange a home pickup. The sample must arrive in Georgia within 48 hours to remain usable.
   Official recipient for your shipping documents:
   Eliava Phage Therapy Center
   Mr. Davit STURUA
   3, Gotua str. — Tbilisi, 0160
   GEORGIE
   tel : +995 32 237 34 25

Why contact us?

Navigating between carriers, UN3373 standards, and Georgian customs is complex. Our role is to secure your process:

• We provide you with the official Letter of Invitation from the phage center.
• We provide you with the customs document templates to prevent your package from being blocked in Tbilisi
• We coordinate the sample’s arrival to ensure it is handled as a priority

Important Reminder: Sending a bacterial strain is a serious procedure. Following the protocols ensures not only your legal security but, above all, the quality of the medical results essential to your recovery.

Contact our support team