The appropriate tool for gathering a sufficient volume of a viral sample and cautious storage of that material while it is being transported to a lab for analysis are the first two crucial steps in making an accurate medical diagnosis. If they are not properly kept during shipment, viral samples might quickly deteriorate. Choosing the appropriate viral transport medium (VTM) is crucial because of this.
In the sections below, we’ll describe the components of viral transport media, discuss its applications and go over its typical elements and customization choices.
The Components of VTM
The viral transport medium solution is only one component of a viral transport system. In reality, there is substantial evidence that dry transport tubes can be very successful at preserving viable samples while being transported. As a result, the performance of several crucial components is required for a viral transport system to be efficient.
- Viral Transport Tube
A sterile tube containing viral transport media is normally made of top-quality medical plastic. Some tubes may be designed to include buffering proteins and antibiotics that prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi that could be contaminants. - Viral Transport Cap
The sample specimen must be protected from contamination during shipment using a tightly closed transport tube. While certain transport tubes may have plug tops for a robust seal, many tubes have screw caps intended for secure sealing and convenience of usage. - Sample Collection Swab
Some viral transport media and systems are designed to function with a particular kind of swab. Swab materials are not always appropriate for viral testing. For instance, cotton cannot be used to make nasopharyngeal swabs because cotton interferes with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing procedure. To clear up any ambiguity regarding the proper components, several manufacturers of VTM kits produce swab kits that incorporate viral transport systems.
Applications of VTM
A variety of viral specimens, particularly infections that are challenging to detect on the spot and situations where identifying a specific viral strain might aid in the diagnosis or population health initiatives, are preserved using a viral transport medium. Typical viral transport media applications include testing COVID-19, influenza virus, enterovirus etc.
Consider the path your virus sample takes to the lab for the best accurate diagnosis; think beyond specimen collection. As laboratories continue to handle increased testing requirements even in the aftermath of the coronavirus epidemic, maintaining viability during this transport period is more important than ever.
Advancells Diagnostics can assist you if you’re unsure of whether viral transport media would be ideal for your particular requirements or would best serve a variety of uses. Contact us at info@advancellsdiagnostics.com or call us at +91-9654321400.