What is VTM (Virus Transport Medium)?

The full name of VTM is Virus Transport Medium, which is mainly used for collecting, transporting and storing biological samples.

The VTM kit consists mainly of a disposable VTM swab and a Viral transport tube with virus preservation solution. VTM tubes can be used to preserve and transport microbiological samples of the COVID-19 virus, influenza virus, hand, foot and mouth virus and other viruses.

What can disposable VTM kits be used for?

• Single-use viral transport tubes can be used for monitoring and sampling infectious pathogenic microorganisms in the CDC and clinical departments of hospitals. It is suitable for viruses (common influenza, highly pathogenic avian influenza, etc.), hand, foot and mouth viruses, and other viruses. The VTM tube can also be used for the sampling of mycoplasma and chlamydia.
• Single-use viral transport tubes are used to transport VTM swabs (nasopharyngeal swab, oropharyngeal swab, cervical swab, etc.) samples from the sampling site to the testing laboratory for polymerase chain reaction extraction and testing.
• The VTM tube also preserves nasopharyngeal swabs or site-specific biological samples for necessary cell culture.

The disposable VTM kit has clear tubes for direct viewing of the reservoir solution and samples. The lid is easy to unscrew easily and is well leak-proof. VTM swab is designed with break points on the swab stem, making it easy to break and facilitating storage and transport of samples. Most importantly, the viral transport medium is sterile, radiation sterilized and individually packaged.

Single-use VTM kits are usually divided into two types, non-inactivated and inactivated.

Inactivated Viral Transport Tube

It is mainly a modified virus lysis type preservation solution for nucleic acid extraction lysate. It contains high concentration of guanidine salts which can inactivate the virus efficiently and effectively prevent the operator from secondary infection. The inactivated VTM tube also contains Rnase inhibitor, which protects the viral nucleic acid from degradation and enables subsequent detection by NT-PCR. The inactivated viral transport tube allows samples to be stored at room temperature for a relatively long period, saving the cost of preserving and transporting viral samples.

Non-inactivated VTM Tube

It is a virus maintenance fluid type preservation solution modified mainly based on transport medium. Non-inactivated viral transport media tubes can be used for nucleic acid extraction and detection, as well as for virus culture, isolation, antigen detection, etc. However, after sampling, it is necessary to maintain a strict low temperature for a long time.

Sampling Precautions

• Prohibit direct contact with the preservation solution in which the virus sample has been placed
• It is prohibited to moisten the swab with the preservation solution before sampling.
• The VTM kit is a disposable product, which is only used for sampling, transportation, and preservation of clinical virus specimens, and should not be used beyond the intended use.
• Before using the viral transport tube, pay attention to the shelf life and packaging integrity.
• Professionals should collect virus specimens strictly following sampling procedures; specimens should be operated in laboratories that meet safety standards when tested.
• Pay attention to the preservation and transportation of specimens.