Flocked Swabs For Sample Collection

Flocked Swabs For Sample Collection

The nucleic acid test (PCR TEST) uses a flocked swab instead of a cotton swab.

Flocking is a craft, not a material

   Flocking is not the fluff of any plant, but a very common fabric treatment process.

         Widely used in the textile industry, automobile manufacturing, printing industry, chemical industry and other fields.

   The flocking process means vertical fixing of some cut or milled short fibres to some kind of adhesive-coated surface. Short fibres are usually nylon, polyester, or other artificial fibers. The range of planting them is very wide, and surfaces such as cloth, plastic, wood, leather, paper, etc. can be flocked.

  Flocking only needs three things, 1, short fibers; 2, adhesive, 3, some kind of surface

   Flocking is very common in everyone’s life, just usually without realizing it. For example, flocking fabrics can be found on clothes, curtains, carpets, and furniture. Usually, those surfaces that are fluffy and comfortable to the touch are brought by the flocking process.

   In addition to the decorative effect, the flocking technology has also been tried by scientists to make graphene lithium battery anode sheets; make special lipophilic and hydrophobic materials to absorb marine oil spills, etc.

The principle of flocking

   At present, the most commonly used flocking method is electrostatic flocking. After the fluff enters the high-voltage electric field, it contacts the negative electrode and is negatively charged. 

   Don’t worry if some fibers fall to the side and don’t stick to the side. After they touch the positive electrode side, the negative charges on the surface are completely neutralized, and they will fall to the negative end due to the force of the electrostatic electric field. Repeat the above movement until they are all stuck.

Flocked swabs for nucleic acid testing

   The flocking swabs used for nucleic acid detection are mostly “planted” with nylon short fibers. The reason for choosing flocked nylon over cotton swabs is the functional need for sampling.

Flocked swab

Flocked swab

Any material design is purposeful, and flocked swabs for nucleic acid detection need to meet the following characteristics:

    ② After the swab is put into the preservation solution, it has to “let go” to release the biological sample, and it cannot hold the sample firmly for a second or divide it. ③ It cannot react with biological samples and destroy the samples.

   Because cotton itself has superior hydrophilicity and adsorption, once it comes into contact with the sample, it is like the characters in Qiongyao play. In contrast, nylon flocked swabs are like a scumbag “can take it and put it down.

   Therefore, the collection and release volume of nylon flocking swabs is much larger than that of traditional winding cotton swabs. Experimental studies have shown that the collection and release volume of flocking swabs can reach 95% of the samples, while cotton swabs are only about 20%.

  In fact, the ability of cotton swabs to grasp the sample is not bad, but after inserting the preservation solution, the flocked swab can quickly let go of the sample to be eluted, but the cotton swab will make the cells stuck in the fiber mass and cannot be separated.

 Otherwise, the nucleic acid will be degraded before the detection begins, and the correct result will definitely not be detected.

   Because of this, it is superfluous to worry that nylon is a synthetic fiber that is harmful to the human body. Flocked fibers have even been tried in regenerative medicine to help repair damaged bones and cartilage. By implanting the flocked fibrous scaffold, the properties of the extracellular matrix are modeled, allowing stem cells to adhere to it to proliferate and differentiate; and provide sufficient space for the newly synthesized matrix and capillaries to enter.

Flocked Swabs and Custom Swab Manufacturing

Flocked Swabs and Custom Swab Manufacturing

When it comes to flocking sampling swabs, many people may only know that they are used for sampling by name, but they may not know the specific details. So what are flocking sampling swabs usually used for?

COVID-19 Testing Sampling

Throat swab: Professional operation is required, because the throat is more prone to injury, flocking swabs are the first choice.

ISO13485 quality management system for the production of disposable sampling swabs, quality standards, sterile swabs, disposable oral swabs, DNA flocking swabs, flocking swabs, foam swabs, disposable sterile swabs, disposable DNA swabs, Disposable virus sampling tube, oral cotton swab, sponge cotton swab, cloth tip cotton swab, cotton swab, medical cotton swab flocking swab.

Our factory specializes in the production and operation of: medical equipment flocking cotton swabs. Flocking sampling swabs: (DNA sampling swabs, cleaning verification cotton swabs); DNA extraction reagents and other products. The company has the right to import and export, and has obtained the certificate of free sale of medical equipment. Products are exported to Europe, America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Japan and South Korea. Send the sample to the laboratory for analysis. High quality sampling swab wholesale factory.

 

1. What is a flocking swab?

Flocking refers to the process of applying multiple lengths of fibers to an adherent coated surface; if the tip of the swab is flocked, it is a flocked swab. It is a disposable sampling swab composed of nylon short fiber fluff head and abs plastic rod. For oral nasopharynx, sampling, cervicovaginal sampling, laboratory testing, etc.

Flocked sampling swab samples are easy to collect.

Flocked sampling swab samples are easy to collect.

2. What are the advantages of flocking swabs for DNA collection?

Sample collection process: The unique structure of the flocked swab tip can greatly increase the number of samples collected

Sample extraction process: The brush-shaped layer structure can release approximately the entire collected sample.

3. Why use flocking sampling swabs? You will know after reading the comparison below.

Conventional fiber swab: The sample is trapped by the gaps in the fiber mass, that is, the sample is penetrated, diluted, and trapped in the fiber. The acquisition is slow, the release is even slower.

 

 

 

Nylon flocked swabs: Superior sample collection/release capability, >80% release rate

The time for flocking swabs to collect samples is 3-5 seconds, while the time for cotton swabs is 15-120 seconds, or even longer, which causes pressure on staff during the diagnosis process. Only faster sample extraction can complete the collection and analysis more efficiently.

3. Why are flocking swabs more advantageous for micro DNA collection?

Due to the internal structure of traditional cotton swabs, which are entangled with cotton fibers at the top, the sample will be dispersed by its fiber clusters and remain in the fibers during sampling, resulting in lower precipitation efficiency of DNA with low content, and even causing false negatives in the test. result.

The unique structure of the top of the flocking swab can almost completely extract and separate out a very small amount of DNA, so the flocking swab has a more obvious advantage in the collection of trace DNA.

3, ethylene oxide sterilization, independent packaging;

sampling step

Flocked Swabs and Custom Swab Manufacturing

Flocked Swabs and Custom Swab Manufacturing

Swab Step 1: Hold the handle and gently insert the sampling swab into the mouth.

Step 2: Gently rotate the sampling swab for 3-5 turns, then slowly take it out

Step 3: Put the extracted sample into the sample collection tube, break the handle, and seal it immediately to complete the sampling.

The newly developed sampling swab nylon flocked sampling swab head has soft flocking hair, and the absorption and release force is 3 times greater than that of trapping microorganisms in traditional sampling swabs, and it will not cause epithelial damage to patients.

The short nylon fibre acts like a soft brush, which can effectively improve the collection of cellular material; the capillary movement between the fibers forms a strong hydraulic pressure, thereby ingesting the liquid sample; at the same time, the sample is close to the surface of the swab and is easy to elute.

Flocked Sterile Swabs

Flocked Sterile Swabs

Disposable sampling swabs, We believe you are familiar with them in the past two years because most of the testing tools used for nucleic acid testing (PCR tests) are disposable sampling swabs.

Usually, we see most nasal swabs and throat swabs, and the sampling swabs we commonly use are flocking swabs.

The flocking swab is a disposable sampling swab composed of a nylon short fibre fluff head and abs plastic rod.

Recently, there have been many concerns about rapid antigen detection on the Internet.

One of them is that if the “single-use sample collection swab” (sampling flocked swab) used in the antigen test is “non-sterile” and “non-sterile”. Bacteria” products. There are risks when using it.

Citizens disinfect the sampling swab with alcohol before conducting antigen testing at home?  ( Alcohol disinfection is not advisable)

Experts and industry insiders say such concerns are unnecessary as long as qualified products are available through formal channels.

Discard damaged or contaminated swabs.

Specimen collection sterile flocked swab

Specimen collection sterile flocked swab

Are there risks to using “non-sterile” “non-sterile” Specimen collection swabs?

There are two main issues that netizens worry about:

One is to worry about the “bacteria” of the sampling swab, which will affect the results of the antigen test, such as “false positives”;

The second is to worry about the “bacteria” of the sampling swab. During the sampling process, “bacteria” will enter the human body with the sampling swab and affect health.

Nasopharyngeal swab test

Nasopharyngeal swab test

Regarding the effect of “bacteria” sampling swabs on antigen test results, experts said that this is a misunderstanding caused by confusing bacteria and viruses.

You know, the antigen test “looks” for the antibodies produced by people infected with the new coronavirus.

The display window of the reagent strip contains a protein that recognizes the antibody, like a dam, blocking the colloidal gold that binds the antibody to the virus. So it appears red in the display window.

Therefore, even if the sampling swab contains “bacteria”, the kit will “ignore” it and focus on “finding” the antibodies produced by the new coronavirus infected person.

Since the kit is not interfered with by “bacteria”, it will not affect the results of antigen detection.

For some people who think that “bacteria” sampling swabs will affect human health, experts say that this may be due to a lack of understanding of “sterile” products.

Sterile

The single-use Specimen collection swab can currently be applied for registration as a second-class medical device, and can also be registered as a first-class medical device (the third-class is the highest level) in the regulatory department.

If it is a Class II medical device, it must meet the sterility requirements when it leaves the factory. While a Class I medical device has no relevant requirements and can be listed in the state of “non-sterile” and “unsterilized”.

Experts said that “sterility” refers to the state of no viable microorganisms. All medical devices must meet certain hygienic requirements, such as strict control of the number of microorganisms before they can be qualified for the market.

Flocked Sterile Swabs

Flocked swabs are mainly used for oral and nasopharyngeal sampling, cervicovaginal sampling, and laboratory testing.

Sterile Flocked Nasopharyngeal Swab is a 100% nylon flocked swab that provides exceptional absorption quality with a flexible handle engineered to reach remote areas of the nasopharynx for specimen collection.

According to different uses, it can also include nasopharyngeal swabs, throat swabs, oral swabs, DNA swabs, and cervical swabs.

It is similar to the above classification, but it is slightly different.

For laboratory testing centres and hospitals.

flocked swab --- CellMedical

flocked swab — CellMedical

What are the advantages of flocked Sterile swabs?

Using nylon fibre flocking technology. The front end of the swab has nylon staple fibres fixed vertically. By making the entire collection area of ​​the swab free of absorbent holes. The sample does not scatter and become trapped in the fibres, facilitating faster and more efficient elution.

This makes flocked swabs ideal for PCR work, as flocked swabs are biocompatible and ideal for PCR work.

Viral Transport Medium Tube Suppliers

Viral Transport Medium Tube Suppliers

PCR Swab Test detection disposable virus sampling tube inactivated non-inactivated production supplier

Viral Transport Medium Tube:  virus transport tube, which consists of a virus storage tube and virus storage solution.

Virus transport tube: specially designed in combination with subsequent PCR instruments for the rapid detection of viral diseases.

 The virus preservation solution ( Viral Transport Medium) is a protective liquid medium added to the virus sampling tube to protect the samples after nasopharyngeal swab sampling.

Includes inactivated viral transport media and non-inactivated viral transport media.

Usually, during nucleic acid detection, nucleic acid PCR cannot be performed directly at the sample collection site.

If the samples collected by flocked swabs need to be transferred for inspection, VTM needs to be added.

Virus detection is different from conventional biochemical detection.

The virus itself is a simple-structured microorganism that must be parasitic in living cells.

After sampling, the virus leaves the host cell. Its protein shell and nucleic acid are quickly degraded in the sampling tube.

So it is impossible to determine whether the initially collected sample contains the virus during nucleic acid detection, which may easily lead to false negatives.

Viral Transport Medium Tube Suppliers

Viral Transport Medium Tube Suppliers

  The non-inactivated virus preservation solution contains a variety of solution components that are beneficial to the cultivation of virus cells. Which can ensure the integrity of the virus and help increase the survival time and stability of the virus.

  A virus is a non-cellular life form that consists of nucleic acid molecules and proteins or only proteins, an individual is a small and simple structure that contains only one nucleic acid (DNA or RNA). Without a cellular structure, viruses cannot replicate themselves, but instead, insert genes into host cells and use the latter’s replication system to replicate new viruses. Common infectious diseases are usually RNA viruses, such as influenza virus, HIV virus, H1N1 virus, etc.

After the collection of virus samples,  stored and transported in a virus preservation solution to maintain the activity of virus samples and prolong the survival time of viruses in the samples.

Viral Transport Medium with Flocked Swab

Viral Transport Medium with Flocked Swab

  In addition, we also provide inactivated virus sampling tubes, which can make the sample infective. Thus improving the safety of sample storage and transportation. The product is supplied in bulk liquid medium for further processing, such as into smaller sample tubes.

Inactivated or non-inactivated virus preservation solution. Its basic function is to protect the integrity of virus or viral nucleic acid and ensure the accuracy of viral nucleic acid detection.

Both VTMs have their own advantages.

CellMedical’s virus sampling tubes with a flocked swab to help users collect samples, and there are a variety of swab models to choose from.

  NOTE: For large-scale nucleic acid testing in non-risk areas during a pandemic, high-volume viral transport media that can hold 5 or 10 swab samples can greatly reduce testing costs.

Characteristics of non-inactivated virus transport media

  VTM can safely transfer viruses, chlamydia and mycoplasma for further research and analysis.

  The special formulation ensures optimal sample recovery and the added antibiotic inhibits the contaminating growth of bacteria and fungi.

  Bovine serum albumin (BSA) acts as a protein stabilizer, but the protein coat of the virus forms a protective film. Making it difficult to decompose and ensuring the integrity of the virus.

  Hanks’ buffer (HBSS) creates a neutral environment, which helps increase the survival time of the virus and the stability of infection.

  This product is also equipped with flocked swabs to help users collect samples, and there are a variety of swab models to choose from.

2-3 ML UTM Tube Np Flocked Nasopharyngeal Instruction Swab Test

2-3 ML UTM Tube Np Flocked Nasopharyngeal Instruction Swab Test

Applications of Viral Transport Medium Tubes

  Non-inactivated virus preservation solution: for the preservation and transportation of clinical influenza, avian influenza (such as H7N9). Hand, foot and mouth disease, measles and other viral specimens and mycoplasma, urea. Chlamydia and other living specimens.

  It is suitable for a variety of applications including classical cell culture methods, and diagnostic tests. And molecular biology techniques (including PCR)

Viral Transport Medium Tube Suppliers Manufacturer

Cell medical (Dongguan) Co., Ltd China Vtm Swab Supplier And Manufacturers

VTM Kit, Viral Transport Media manufacturers, suppliers & exporters in china

The CellMedical production site covers an area of ​​15,000 square meters, with its own injection moulding production workshop. A thousand-level purification workshop, and more than ten automatic packaging production lines.

We support custom production, OEM and so on, and develop products with customers.

Virus sampling tubes and saliva collection devices can ensure the safety and stability of samples during transport;

Swabs using jet dense nylon fibre technology correspond to soft or brush texture swabs according to different analysis items, which have reached the maximum collection volume.

Disposable injection-moulded swab rods with breaking points and flocking technology. To enhance the adsorption/release of specimens and improves the sensitivity of the analysis.

No sample entrapment, heralding faster and fewer sample transfers.

CellMedical’s sampling flocked swab: made of plastic rod + ABS. Which is harmless to microorganisms and can maximize the collection and release of specimens.

The main products of Cell Medical (Dongguan) Co., Ltd. are disposable virus sampling tubes, virus sampling tube sets, disposable sampling flocking swabs, nasal swabs, throat swabs and other disposable medical equipment consumables.

Sold well at home and abroad. And the superior product quality and high-quality service attitude have won praise from many customers.

VTM Collection Kits (VTM Kits) For Diagnosis

VTM Collection Kits (VTM Kits) For Diagnosis

VTM Collection Kits preservation systems such as virus collection.
For the collection and transportation of coronavirus, virus, bird flu, hand rash, and measles. The original aptamer and the original specimen, Chlamydia branch.

Generally, the virus subsystems and components are probed from the mouth, nose, throat, throat swab, etc.: throat probe virus preservation, transportation, and biohazard bags.

The CellMedical Virus Collection and Storage System is compatible with most DNA and RNA isolation methods.

It has been validated for COVID-19 testing.

VTM Kits

VTM Swabs

VTM Swabs

Safe and convenient transportation:
It inactivates microorganisms and viruses for safe and convenient transportation and handling.

To save RNA/DNA:
Used to store total RNA and DNA, including viral RNA and DNA, at room temperature.

Sample Type:
Used to collect a variety of sample types, including nose, mouth, throat, and skin samples.

 

 

 

 

Flocked Swab

Flocked Swab

Nylon flocked swab

Made of nylon fibre flocking technology, the front end is coated with nylon short fibers fixed in a vertical manner.

Increasing the efficiency of collection and release of cellular and fluid samples.

So that there is no absorption hole in the entire collection area of ​​the swab.

The collected sample does not disperse and remains in the fibre, facilitating faster and more efficient elution.

Traditional spun cotton swabs cannot completely collect and elute the sample, while flocked swabs can elute more than 95 per cent of the sample collected.

So the use of flocked swabs has great advantages for a variety of sample collection applications.

Because most of the testing tools used for nucleic acid testing are disposable sampling swabs, we usually see more nasal swabs and throat swabs.

Improve analytical sensitivity, no sample residue, and speed up sample processing.

PS stickers come off easily. Suitable for cervical, nasopharyngeal, oral, forensic collection systems and DNA collection, etc. Individually packaged.

Flocked swabs are biocompatible and ideal for PCR work.

PCR is compatible, free of RNase and DNase, so the new flocked swabs are ideal and a good choice for scientists working with PCR technology.

Flocked swab sampling is more comfortable and easier to use;

CellMedical’s flocked swabs use the existing technology “spraying technology”, which is to vertically attach millions of nylon fibres to the head of the medical swab shaft through electrostatic charges in the flocking hair.

Flocked Nasopharyngeal Swab Suppliers and Manufacturers

Flocked Nasopharyngeal Swab Suppliers and Manufacturers

The vertical nylon fibres resemble a soft brush.

During sampling, the user will have no foreign body sensation.

In addition, different parts have different breaking points of the flocking swabs used, and the thickness of the swab rod is also different.

So there is a big difference in softness.

For example, for nasal swabs, the upper end of the swab rod is thin and soft, and the breaking point is also relatively back.

How To Do Covid Swab

How To Do Covid Swab

Covid Swab testing include nasopharyngeal swabs and oropharyngeal swabs.

A sample taken by a doctor from a patient’s nasal cavity via a nasopharyngeal swab to test for Covid-19.

The oropharynx refers to the detection of secretions mainly from the soft palate, tonsils and other parts of the patient.

We need to pay attention to protection for nucleic acid testing.

The advantage of nasopharyngeal swabs over oropharyngeal swabs is that they are easy to operate.

The operator can stand behind the patient’s side, with only the nostrils exposed, without looking directly into the patient’s mouth.

There is basically no gag reflex, and the exposure risk of the sampler is lower than that of nasopharyngeal swabs.

How to do a covid nasopharyngeal swab without pain?

Since the flocked swab sampling is from the lower nasal passage all the way to the bottom of the nasopharynx.

It is more painful to perform, but in this process, the more nervous and conflicted, the more uncomfortable it will be during sampling.

Therefore, when doing a nasal swab, recommended to relax a little, then tilt your head back, keep still.

And use your nose to inhale and exhale through your mouth.

The collector will make this process quick and generally not too painful.

Does nasopharyngeal swab bleeding affect test results?

It will not affect.

Bleeding when taking a nasal swab is due to the rupture of capillaries in the nasal mucosa when the specimen is taken.

However, under normal circumstances, as long as the secretions from the nasopharynx are collected.

A small amount of bleeding will generally not affect the test results. have an impact.

However, if the secretions from the nasopharynx are not collected during the bleeding.

It is necessary to resample the nasal cavity on the other side after stopping the bleeding by resting.

Therefore, when doing a nasal swab, it is recommended to relax and listen to the collector.

So that sampling can be completed quickly.

Which is more accurate, nasal swab or throat swab?

It has been reported in the literature that when taking samples for SARS-CoV-2 virus nucleic acid detection, the results obtained by simultaneously sampling throat swabs and nasal swabs are generally equivalent.

Therefore, for a nasopharyngeal swab and pharyngeal swab, there is no special regulation on which one to do. It is recommended that those who need to do sampling can choose according to their own conditions. If they can tolerate pharyngeal swab collection, they can do pharyngeal sampling. After the nasal swab was collected, a nasal sampling was performed.

Can nasopharyngeal swab be made by themselves?

Not.

Since the nasal swab test needs to insert the swab deep into the nasal cavity to collect samples, there may be adverse reactions such as pain, gag reflex, tearing, and even nosebleeds during the process, causing physical discomfort and psychological discomfort to the collected person. The sense of resistance will be very strong, so there are highly professional requirements for the sampling personnel, and they cannot be done by themselves.

Antigen Covid Test?

What is an Antigen Covid Test?

Antigen Covid Test

We routinely test the nucleic acid with nasal swabs in the department every week, and we have been used to it for several months.

At most, it will pass with a tear and clenched teeth (naive).

So when I was queuing, I didn’t think there was anything to do mentally, and I didn’t notice that the head nurse was training a new little nurse how to do nucleic acid today‼ ️

As a result, it was my turn, and as soon as I sat down, I heard the head nurse say, “I’ll show you one.”

So before she could react, she stabbed in at once, and that feeling, I have never felt so uncomfortable in my life, from nostrils to throats.

It felt like my head was split open, and tears came out. The nasal swab is about 15cm long. According to my classmates, there are only 2cm left.

And because I was so overreacting (yelling and leaning back so fast), the head nurse was so startled that I didn’t have time to pull it out.

The covid flocked swab didn’t come out even after she let go, and I pulled it out with tears.

Many Americans are familiar with the rapid antigen test for COVID-19, which involves swabbing the nose.

What is an antigen test? Can it replace nucleic acid detection (PCR swab test)?

What is an antigen test?

The new coronavirus antigen detection is detected on a test strip through the binding reaction of antigen and antibody.

which is convenient and quick, and the result is usually available in 15-20 minutes.

However, due to the existence of some interference, the antigen-antibody reaction may be falsely positive.

The specificity of the method is less than 100%.

Therefore, antigen test results cannot replace nucleic acid test results.

There are three main methods to detect whether the virus invades the human body: nucleic acid detection (PCR), antigen detection and antibody detection.

The first two are methods of direct detection of viruses.

Compared with nucleic acid detection, antigen detection can be faster and more convenient to operate.

But with lower accuracy, generally used in the initial stage of infection.

After the outbreak, many countries, while recognizing nucleic acid testing as the “gold standard” for COVID-19 testing, have also promoted antigen testing as an effective supplement.

Antigen-positive results can be used for early triage and rapid management of suspected populations.

1. Why do I need an antigen test?

Facilitates “early detection” The new coronavirus mainly has four structural proteins.

Compared with nucleic acid detection, antigen detection is faster and more convenient to operate, and some reagents can produce results in 15 minutes.

Faster and more accurate epidemic prevention and control requires additional antigen testing as a supplement.

Once the antigen test is positive, we need to carry out nucleic acid testing to confirm in time.

2. Why can’t it replace nucleic acid detection?

or false detection According to the latest plan, nucleic acid testing is still the basis for the diagnosis of new coronavirus infection.

Antigen detection is a supplementary method and cannot replace nucleic acid detection.

The reason is that the sensitivity of antigen detection is relatively low. And antigen detection products can usually only be detected when the infected person is in the acute infection stage.

That is, when the viral load in the body is at a high level.

Compared with nucleic acid detection, antigen detection has poor sensitivity due to no amplification process.

In layman’s terms, it shortens the time for results, but increases the risk of “false negatives”.

According to the above plan, if the primary medical and health institutions have nucleic acid detection capabilities, nucleic acid detection should be the first choice;

If they don’t have nucleic acid testing capabilities, they can do antigen testing.

In the current epidemic, there are many asymptomatic infections.

Can we get through testing?

From the existing data, a large part of the infected people of the Omicron variant are asymptomatic, but it does not mean that their viral load is low.

On the contrary, some studies have shown that the viral load in the throat of some asymptomatic infected people is quite high.

Covid Test Throat Swab

Covid Test Throat Swab

There is more than one sampling method to detect covid-19. Everyone should have heard of the nasopharyngeal swab test and oropharyngeal swab. Can you do it yourself? Or does it have to be done by a professional for you?

In this article you will learn:

What difference is between a nasal swab and a throat swab COVID-19 test?

The main steps to take the Covid Test Throat Swab test.

Which COVID test is more accurate, nasal or throat swab?

 

What difference is between a nasal swab and a throat swab COVID-19 test?

Swab Test

Swab Test

Sampling methods and location are different.

The accuracy rates of nucleic acid detection nasal swabs and throat swabs are usually similar, and the main difference lies in the sampling method and sampling site.

For nasal swabs, nasopharyngeal flocking swabs are mainly used to test the secretions from the inside of the nasal cavity and the surface of the nasal mucosa through the nasal cavity; In contrast, throat swabs are obtained by dipping pharyngeal specimens through the oral cavity. Tests are conducted to determine if the sampler is infected with the new coronavirus.

There are several different ways to test for COVID-19:

Testing for COVID-19 falls into two main categories:

1. Diagnostic test/diagnostic test: to detect whether you are currently infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus, also called viral swab test.

2. Antibody test/antibody test: It is used to detect whether you have been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and cannot be used to diagnose whether you are currently infected.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab test

  • Nasal Swab A nasal swab is a method of examining the nasal passages to see if there is a bacterial or viral infection. The nasal swab is something similar to a sterile flocked swab, which is used for the collection of nasal specimens.
  • Throat swab, also known as “oropharyngeal swab“, refers to using a sterilized medical long cotton swab to wipe a small number of secretions from the throat of the person to be tested, and then perform respiratory virus testing. A sample is taken from the back of the throat through the mouth.
  • Nasopharyngeal swabs are actually relatively long nasopharyngeal flocked swabs, similar to longer sterilized cotton swabs.
  • Its main function is to take nasopharyngeal secretions for bacterial culture and drug sensitivity tests. Go deep into the nose and collect a sample from the back of the nose or the back of the throat.
  • Saliva swabs use a saliva sample to test for the COVID-19 virus. This is usually done by swabbing the oral area, such as the cheeks.

The rapid antigen tests that most people use in the U.S. and elsewhere are designed specifically for nasal swabs.

The main steps to take the Covid Test Throat Swab test.

Specimen collection crowd:

1. Patients with suspected pneumonia and suspected cluster cases of new coronavirus infection;

2. Others who need to be diagnosed or differentially diagnosed with new coronavirus infection;

3. Those returning to the city/returning to work without obvious symptoms (fever, respiratory symptoms) .

Before swab test sampling:

Preparation before throat swab: throat swab sampling tube (tube + swab), sealing bag with a size suitable for displaying the general biological hazard sign, tongue depressor, etc.

Check the label on the outside of the throat swab (whether there is a date, specification, whether the colour of the sampling liquid has deteriorated, whether it is turbid, whether there is sediment, etc., and also improve the information of the sampling tube, such as name, sampling unit, and paste the sampling number);

It is necessary to communicate with the examinee first, and inform the examinee in advance not to smoke, drink, or eat chewing gum or irritating or savoury food within 30 minutes before sampling.

If your test needs to try:

The swab crossed the base of the tongue and reached the pharyngeal stenosis, and quickly wiped the palatine arches and pharynx and tonsil secretions on both sides.
Drop the swab into the virus delivery medium, assist the cap to break the swab stem so that it is fully seated in the tube.
Tighten the cap of the tube, mark it well, put it in a plastic bag and seal it.
Submit the specimen for inspection in a timely manner.

Which COVID test is more accurate, nasal or throat swab?

Research is underway to determine the most accurate way to test for COVID-19, specifically using the Omicron variant. We do know that Omicron tends to stay in the upper airways rather than travel to the lower airways or lungs. Therefore, a throat swab may be more likely to find it. But again, research is still ongoing.

A recently published study suggests that saliva swabs may be more accurate in detecting Omicron variants than nasal swabs. But the study looked at PCR tests, not at-home rapid tests. So the results may not apply to home tests because these tests work differently. Another study found that PCR throat swabs were slightly better at detecting the virus than nasal swabs. But this research was done before the Omicron variant.

It is also important to note that throat swabs are more difficult to collect. If done incorrectly, the results may be inaccurate. At this point, it is best to wait until we have more data and leave the throat swab to the provider.

Notice

For the Omicron variant, a saliva test (and possibly a throat swab) may be more accurate than a nasal swab. But current rapid home tests are not designed for throat swabs. To avoid potentially false results, these tests should only be used as intended. Until we do more research, we can’t say for sure whether combining swabs with home testing is a good idea. When in doubt, consider a PCR test for more accurate results.

VTM Swabs

VTM Swabs

Nasopharyngeal swab collection kits with VTM swab collection kits are now in stock.

Dongguan Cell Medical’s Disposable Nasopharyngeal VTM Sampling Swab Kit is used to collect samples for COVID-19. High quality and less expensive kit for screening nasopharyngeal swab samples. Includes flocked swabs for nucleic acid detection and virus transport medium (VTM) for virus culture.

Stored at room temperature levels prior to collection and kept at 2-8 °C after collection to avoid contamination.

VTM

 Viral Transport Medium swab

Viral Transport Medium swab

VTM consists of Hanks Balanced Salt, Foetal Bovine Product, anti-bacterial prescription antibiotics, anti-fungal anti-biotics as well as Phenol Red as an indication for real-time surveillance of pH security of the service.

Swab & tube requirements

sampling process

sampling process

The clean and sterile nasopharyngeal swab offered attributes a flocked idea with a breakpoint at 80 mm from the tip, compatible with the tubes given. The television cap design is extremely reliable at consisting of the VTM and avoiding leaks of the sample.

VTM Swabs Kits

virus specimen collection tube

virus specimen collection tube

These sets with either 5 ml or 10 ml tubes consisting of 2.5 ml or 3 ml of VTM specifically:

  • Flocked swab: 150mm, 3cm breaking point for throat swab, 8cm breaking point for nasal swab
  • Storage tube: 5ml, 10ml
  • Preservation solution: 1ml/tube, 2ml/tube, 3ml/tube
  • Biosafety bag: 10x15cm

Accreditations

CE IVD registered packagesISO13484 certified maker, registered with the United States FDA

viral transport swab

Viral Transport Swab

VTM Viral Transport

For Viral specimen collection, transport and preservation.  The Viral Transport Swab kit is suitable for the majority of viruses including Coronavirus, Flu, Bird Flu and HFMD.

Available in individual transport tubes in bulk or as patient collection kits paired with a swab.

Viral Transport Swab Disposable virus sample collection kit

Viral Transport Swab Disposable virus sample collection kit 

Sterile Sampling Swab Nylon Flocked Material Φ2.2x150mm (Stick), Approx. Ø3mm (Tip)
Transport Tube 10ml sample transport tube
Transport Medium  3ml per 10ml tube

 

  • Flocked swabs contain plastic stick to breakpoint flocked swabs;
  • Optional non-inactivated virus tasting tube or suspended transmission tool;
  • Ready-to-use easy-tear product packaging to avoid cross-contamination;
  • Offer biohazard sampling bags for secure transport;
  • 50 per pack;

Each viral collection kit consists of a sterilized peel bag including a snappable swab used to collect the sample, a transport tube consisting of a tool into which the swab is placed after tasting as well as a biohazard bag used to place the transport tube for transportation.

Once a swab sample is accumulated it should be placed promptly into the transport tube submitted to the lab as promptly as possible.

Although VTM can preserve organisms for long periods of time at area temperature it is advised that specimens need to be kept at 2-8 ℃ when possible while in transit. If there will be a lengthy delay before processing samplings they ought to preferably be saved at -70 ℃

 

Technical Specification

Technical Specifications

VTM Viral Transport Media is suitable for the collection, preservation and transportation of common virus samples such as COVID 19, influenza virus, hand, foot and mouth virus.

Flocked Nasopharyngeal Meaning Swab Test Sample Collection Vtm Kit

Vtm Kit tube

  • It is a liquid of a tested substance that protects against viruses. It usually uses a throat swab, nasal swab or tissue sample from a specific location to collect the sample.
  • Tube size: 2ml, 5ml, 10ml
  • Swab size: 150 mm with a breakpoint of 80 mm in the nasopharynx and 30 mm in the oropharynx.
  • liquid: 1ml, 2ml, 3ml, 5ml Shelf life: 1 year

 

Category of example conservation solution ( VTM or UTM):

Non-inactivated: constructed in 2-3ml UTM( Global Viral Transportation tool) option, pink transparent liquid, conservation solution formula suitable for infection conservation.

Which can preserve the activity of infection in a vast temperature level variety and attempt to preserve the originality of the example.

Without lysate, it can preserve the activity and stability of the virus as well as can be utilized for virus culture as well as seclusion.

Inactivated kind: nucleic acid removal lysate boosted virus lysate preservation solution.

The suspended kind consists of a high focus of bosom salt, which can swiftly and successfully suspend the viral protein of the example to be tested.

We can spot nucleic acid by RT-PCR to judge whether the sample includes virus characteristic nucleic acid.

It consists of cleaved nucleic acid materials, so regarding spot nucleic acid by RT-PCR, so as to evaluate whether the sample consists of virus characteristic nucleic acid.

Precautions:

1. For in-vitro diagnostic usage only.

2. Usage aseptic technique and biohazard preventative measures when collecting and dealing with sampling.

3. Decontaminate all biohazard waste including samplings, containers and media after their use.

4. Delays in transportation and the absence of refrigeration might minimize recuperation of the organisms.

5. Don’t make use of after expiry date, and don’t utilize if there is proof of leak, the shade of the medium has altered shade or shows up turbid.