Viral transport media for COVID-19 testing

Abstract

Precautionary measures of physical isolation, social distancing, and masks have all aided in controlling the spread of COVID-19. However, detection of the virus is crucial to implement isolation of infected individuals. This paper presents the innovative repurposing of lab materials, workspace, and personnel in response to the COVID-19-induced shutdown and consequential shortage of commercially made virus transport media (VTM). This method for VTM production highlights the ability of standard research labs to fulfill the needs of those affected by the pandemic and potential recurrence of outbreaks. Further, the collaboration of the various entities at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC) allowed for efficient production and distribution of VTM tubes to facilitate mass COVID-19 testing. We propose that implementation of this process by university research labs would enable quicker interventions, potentially better outcomes, and prevention of further spread of disease.

A fast and sensitive absolute quantification assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 peptides using parallel reaction monitoring mass spectrometry

“…Nasopharyngeal swab samples were received in 2.5 mL of Viral Transport Medium(VTM), comprising of Anderson's modified Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (8.0 g/L NaCl, 0.4 g/L KCl, 0.05 g/L Na 2 HPO 4 , 0.06 g/L KH 2 PO 4 , 1.0 g/L Glucose, 0.7 g/L NaHCO 3 , 0.2 g/L MgSO 4 .7H 2 O, 0.14 g/L CaCl 2 .2H 2 O) with 2% (v:v) heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum, 100 μg/mL gentamicin and 0.5 μg/mL amphotericin B, as recommended by the CDC [ 22 ].The virus was inactivated by heating at 80 °C for 5 min and 1 mL of 20% SDS was added to the VTM containing the swab for a final concentration of ~5% which is compatible with the S-trap method of sample digestion. The samples were vortexed for 15 min followed by centrifugation at 1500 x g and the entire solution was collected, aliquoted and stored at −80 °C for further use.…”

A fast and sensitive absolute quantification assay for the detection of SARS-CoV□2 peptides using Parallel Reaction Monitoring Mass Spectrometry

“…Nasopharyngeal swab samples were received in 2.5 mL of Viral Transport Medium(VTM), comprising of Anderson's modified Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (8.0 g/L NaCl, 0.4 g/L KCl, 0.05 g/L Na 2 HPO 4 , 0.06 g/L KH 2 PO 4 , 1.0 g/L Glucose, 0.7 g/L NaHCO 3 , 0.2 g/L MgSO 4 .7H 2 O, 0.14 g/L CaCl 2 .2H 2 O) with 2% v/v heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum, 100 µg/mL gentamicin and 0.5 µg/mL amphotericin B, as recommended by the CDC [22].The virus was inactivated by heating at 80°C for 5 min and 1 mL of 20% SDS was added to the VTM containing the swab such that the total SDS concentration was ~5 % which is compatible with the S-trap method of sample digestion. The samples were vortexed for 15 min followed by centrifugation at 1500 x g and the entire solution was collected, aliquoted and stored at -80°C for further use.…”

Modified transport medium for improving influenza virus detection

“…Additionally, PrimeStore ® MTM, an inactivated transport medium, effectively preserves the influenza A virus strain A/California/04/2009 at a temperature of 25°C for a duration of 30 days ( Schlaudecker et al., 2014 ). Because of the lack of viral transmission media (VTM) during the COVID-19 pandemic, several components of transmission mediums have been developed for virus transmission, culture separation, and molecular diagnostics ( McAuley et al., 2021 ; Mears et al., 2021 ). However, these commercially available transport media do not increase sensitivity or provide effective support for accurate testing of samples with low viral loads.…”