What is VTM?
VTM is the acronym for Viral Transport Media, which contains nutrients that carry the virus and keep it active so that the sample can reach the laboratory for testing.
VTM virus preservation solution is suitable for the collection, preservation and transportation of common virus samples.
Such as new coronavirus, influenza virus, hand, foot and mouth virus. It can collect throat swabs, nasal swabs or tissue samples from specific parts.
And the stored samples can be used for subsequent nucleic acid extraction or Purification and other clinical experiments.
Virus Transport Medium (VTM) Definition
The virus transport medium sampling tube is a complete set of centrifuge tubes for sampling and transporting viruses.
What is Viral Transport Media
Such as new coronavirus, influenza virus, hand, foot and mouth virus in the microbial sampling transport tube.
Also known as the specimen transport tube. commoditized products.
A nutrient is used to carry and maintain the viability of test specimens (viruses) for the identification and further processing of samples in laboratories.
Viral Transmission Media Principles (VTM)
Since there is no cellular structure. Viruses cannot replicate themselves, but instead, invade genes into host cells and replicate new viruses with the help of the latter’s replication system.
After the virus sample is collected, in order to maintain the activity of the virus sample and prolong the survival time of the virus in the sample, the sampling swab will be put into the transportation medium for storage and transportation.
Transportation medium composition and inspection principle:
1. The combination of various antibiotics has broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal effects.
2. As a protein stabilizer, bovine serum albumin (BSA) can form a protective film on the protein shell of the virus, making it difficult to decompose and ensuring the integrity of the virus
3. The neutral environment constructed by Hank’s buffer helps to increase the survival time and infection stability of the virus.
4. Phenol red is an acid-base indicator, the discoloration area is 6.6 (yellow)-8.0 (red), and it is red at 7.2-7.4.
Vtm Kit
The most stable pH value of the viral outer layer protein is 7.2-7.4, which is also the pH value range of Hank’s buffer. If contaminating molds or bacteria are not inhibited by antibiotics, they can multiply, releasing carbon dioxide and lowering the pH.
At this time, the appearance of the sampling solution will change from red to yellow.
Notes:
- To produce an isotonic solution containing proteins to protect viral structures, antibiotics to control microbial contamination, and one or more buffers to control pH.
- Use the concept of assays such as nucleic acid amplification assays (NaAt) to prepare viral delivery media while preventing samples such as drying.
Composition of viral transport media (VTM Kits)
There are mainly the following parts:
1. Sampling swab with disposable sterile plastic rod/rayon head;
2. Sterile sampling tube containing 3ml of virus maintenance solution;
In addition, there are additional parts such as a tongue depressor, a biosafety bag, etc.
Viral delivery media typically have protective protein components, antimicrobial agents to prevent the potential for contamination, and buffers to maintain the pH of the solution.
Some VTMs also have additional ions and minerals that help keep such samples viable.
How to use Virus Transfer Media?
Liquid transfer media are primarily used to transfer the swab or material from the collection swab into the media.
It facilitates the collection and transport of samples in areas where it is not available.
Precautions for use:
1. Before sampling, indicate the sample information on the label of the cryopreservation tube;
2. According to different experimental purposes, use sampling swabs to sample at the corresponding parts (the most commonly used are nasopharyngeal swabs, pharyngeal swabs are the oral swabs in the product);
3. Immediately after sampling, put the swab into the sampling tube containing the virus transport medium, break it at the breaking point, and tighten the tube cover;
4. The specific sampling methods are as follows:
a) Nasal swab: Gently insert the flocked swab head into the nasal palate, stay for a while and then slowly turn to exit. Swab the other nostril with another swab, immerse the swab head in the sampling solution, break it at the breaking point, and discard it.
b) Pharyngeal swab: Wipe bilateral pharyngeal tonsils and posterior pharyngeal wall with a flocked swab, and also immerse the swab head in the sampling solution and discard it.
Flocked Cotton Throat Oral swab 15Cm