How to Choose the Right Virus Transport Medium

The selection of the appropriate Virus Transport Medium(VTM) is crucial in preserving the integrity of the viral RNA and ensuring accurate test results. Two types of VTMs are commonly used – non-inactivated and inactivated. In this article, we will discuss how to choose the right virus transport medium for your needs.

MEIDIKE GENE® VTM Kit

Inactivated Virus Transport Medium

It is mainly a virus lysis type preservation solution improved by nucleic acid extraction lysis solution. The high concentration of guanidine salt in the sample can effectively inactivate the virus, which can effectively prevent the operator from secondary infection, but it also contains Rnase inhibitor, which can protect the viral nucleic acid from being degraded, so that the subsequent detection by NT-PCR can be performed. . Moreover, it can be stored at room temperature for a relatively long time, which saves the cost of virus sample storage and transportation.

Non-inactivated Virus Transport Medium

It is mainly a virus maintenance liquid type preservation solution improved on the basis of the transport medium. It can preserve the activity of the virus in vitro and the integrity of antigens and nucleic acids, protect the viral protein coat from being easily decomposed, and maintain the originality of the virus sample to a large extent. In addition to nucleic acid extraction and detection, this preservation solution can also be used for virus culture, isolation, and antigen detection, etc., but long-term storage after sampling requires strict low temperature.

Regardless of whether it is an inactivated type or a non-inactivated type, the virus sampling tube before sampling must be strictly inactivated and sterilized to ensure that there are no other microorganisms in the tube, which may cause the virus to decompose or other influences after sampling and cause false detection. After swab sampling, if a collection tool or preservation solution of poor quality is used, it will affect the subsequent test results and even cause misdiagnosis. Therefore, you must choose a virus sampling tube produced by a professionally qualified manufacturer.