HIMEDIA VTM KIT

Listing ID #6146651

HiViral™ Transport Kit (A) w/ Viral Transport Medium, one sterile flocked nylon swab with breakpoint and one sterile viscose swab without breakpoint

Intended Use: For collection and transportation of samples containing Viruses Chlamydiae, Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma from the collection site to the laboratory

Introduction: HiMedia's HiViralTM Transport Kit (A) is a specially designed transport system to collect and transport viruses in an active form to the laboratory for isolation. It is designed to maintain the viability and the virulence of the viral sample. HiViralTM Transport Medium is made of Hanks Balanced Salt Solution and contains a protective protein, antibiotics to control microbial and fungal contamination and buffers to control the pH. Phenol red is used as a pH indicator. The medium also contains a cryoprotectant which helps in preserving the viruses if specimens are frozen for prolonged storage. The flocked nylon swab has a short perpendicular ultraflexible plastic shaft that is designed for better patient comfort. This plastic shaft is attached with soft nylon strands that results in efficient collection and release of particulate matter. It yields significantly more sample which helps in maximizing the sensitivity of serological and molecular detection assays. This swab has a molded breakpoint which allows the swab to be broken in to the tube. The viscose swab is a tipped swab on a polypropylene shaft, which can be used for collecting throat samples. It does not have a breakpoint.

Procedure: A. Collection of Samples For a complete diagnostic analysis of viral diseases, it is important that the infectivity of the viruses is preserved after sample collection. The infectivity of viruses’ decreases over time and the decay rate is generally a function of temperature. Stability of samples is enhanced by cooling therefore samples should be kept at 2-8°C. The probability of a successful isolation is more if the samples are processed immediately after collection and the viral load in the sample is more. Viral load is maximum if the samples are collected immediately after the onset of clinical symptoms and before the administration of antiviral medications. B. Directions: 1. Cut open the pouch to remove the swab. 2. Specimen can be collected with the swab in the following manner. Nasal swab Nasal swab is collected for anterior turbinate. Insert dry swab into nostril and leave in place for a few seconds. Slowly withdraw it with a rotating motion. Nasopharyngeal swab Insert dry swab in to nostril and back to the nasopharynx. Leave in place for a few seconds. Slowly withdraw the swab with a rotating motion

Throat swab

Ask patient to open his/her mouth. Swab the back of the throat near the tonsils thoroughly. 

3. Break the swab near the break point and insert swab into the tube containing viral transport medium and close the cap tightly. 4. Label the sample correctly with the name of the patient and time and date of collection. 5. Transport the samples immediately to the laboratory for processing.

Transportation of the Samples: Samples should be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible. Samples can be refrigerated at 2-80C after collection or can be transported at 2-80C on wet ice within 48 hours. If a long delay is expected in transit and processing, samples should be transported on dry ice and should be frozen at -70 0C.