The Viral Collection Kit is intended to be used to collect specimens suspected of containing virus and to preserve active virus during transport to a laboratory for analysis (1).
The kit consists of a sterile swab for specimen collection from most body areas* and Virus Transport Medium (VTM) for the transportation of viral samples from the patient to the diagnostic laboratory.
The stability of viral specimens afforded by the product formulation enables specimen transport and subsequent storage in the 2-30°C range for up to 72 hours before starting analysis.
Virus Transport Medium: The inclusion of Hanks balanced salt solution produces an isotonic medium with buffering capacity to maintain pH, provides essential mineral salts, and a visual pH indicator.
HEPES provides additional pH stability and bovine serum albumin is present to help stabilise virus particles. Gentamicin and amphotericin B are added to prevent growth of unwanted bacteria and fungi that may be present in the specimen.
1. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), 2014. M40-A2 Quality Control of Microbiological Transport Systems; Approved Standard Second Edition.
*Not suitable for nasopharyngeal swabbing.
