Comparison of Four Swab and Transport Media Combinations for the Detection of Respiratory Viruses.

BACKGROUND

We compared four combinations of nasopharyngeal swabs and transport media for their ability to transfer and recover viruses under different storage conditions.

METHODS

Each swab was immersed in culture supernatants of influenza A virus (IAV), respiratory syncytial virus, and adenovirus, placed in transport medium, and stored at -20℃, +4℃, +20 to 25℃, and +37℃ for 5 days. On each day, virus culture and real-time PCR were performed for each virus.

RESULTS

All samples under different storage conditions showed positive results up to 5 days using both virus culture and real-time PCR. Real-time PCR showed that samples stored at -20℃, 4℃, and 20 - 25℃ were within two cycle thresholds (Cts) up to 5 days, but IAV at 37℃ showed that viral titer decreased after 3 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that these swab and transport media maintained the stability of the above viruses for 5 days at room temperature, refrigerated, and frozen storage conditions.