Liofilchem® Viral Transport Medium (VTM), 200mL

The Liofilchem® Viral Transport Medium (VTM) is a specially formulated liquid medium used to transport clinical specimens from collection sites to testing laboratories. VTM ensures the survival of fragile organisms for extended periods at room temperature. This medium supports the viability of a wide range of viruses and bacteria, making it essential for diagnostic purposes.

Key Features & Benefits:

1. Virus and Bacteria Preservation:
   • VTM is designed to preserve the viability of viruses and bacteria during transport, including SARS-CoV-2, Herpes Simplex virus, Varicella-Zoster virus, Influenza Type A, RSV, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Chlamydia trachomatis, among others.
   • The medium ensures the survival of fragile organisms during transport, which is crucial for accurate diagnostic testing.
2. Cryoprotectant & Stability:
   • Sucrose acts as a cryoprotectant, helping to maintain organism viability during freeze-thaw cycles.
   • HBSS (Hanks Balanced Salt Solution) provides essential ions and maintains pH balance, ensuring that organisms remain stable during transport.
3. Inhibitors for Contaminant Control:
   • VTM contains antibiotics and antimycotics, preventing the growth of contaminating bacteria and fungi, ensuring that only the target organisms are preserved and detected.
4. Easy Handling and Use:
   • The medium is easy to use and is ready-to-use for specimen collection, eliminating the need for complex preparation steps.
   • It is available in bottles and tubes for convenience and comes in clear, light orange-red appearance for easy identification.

Applications:

• Viral Specimen Transport: Ideal for transporting clinical specimens for viral testing and molecular diagnostics, including viral PCR and pathogen detection.
• Microbial Testing: Suitable for transporting specimens for the detection of Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, and Ureaplasma.
• Infectious Disease Diagnostics: Used extensively in clinical laboratories for testing specimens for viruses like COVID-19, Herpes, Influenza, and other pathogens.

Composition:

• Sucrose: Cryoprotectant, helps preserve the viability of organisms during transport.
• HBSS (Hanks Balanced Salt Solution): Provides essential inorganic ions, maintaining pH and osmotic balance.
• BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin), Gelatin, Amino Acids: Stabilizes virus particles and supports bacterial viability.
• Antibiotics and Antimycotics: Prevent bacterial and fungal growth, ensuring sample purity.
• Phenol Red: pH indicator to ensure medium integrity at the time of specimen collection.

Directions for Use:

1. Collect swab specimens using a synthetic tip swab with a plastic shaft.
2. Place the swab in the VTM tube immediately after collection.
3. Label the tube with the necessary identification details (e.g., lot number, expiry date, lab ID).
4. Transport the specimen promptly, ideally within 48 hours. For longer transport times, store specimens at -70°C or below to maintain organism viability.

Storage and Shelf Life:

• Storage Temperature: Store at 10-25°C, away from light.
• Shelf Life: 1 year. After opening, the shelf life must be validated by the user.
• Packaging Options:
  • VTM Bottle (250 mL): 6 x 200 mL bottles (Ref. 412450) 
    

Quality Control:

• VTM is tested using appropriate quality control strains and specifications as outlined in the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) available on Liofilchem’s website.

Precautions:

• VTM is not for internal use and should only be used for specimen transport.
• Swabs are not included with the product. Choose swabs carefully, avoiding those with calcium alginate or wooden shafts, which can reduce microorganism recovery.
• Always handle specimens as potentially infectious and follow safety protocols for infection control.

Legal Information:

• VTM is not FDA-reviewed and is intended for research and testing purposes only.
• Disposal of waste should comply with national and local regulations.

Liofilchem® Viral Transport Medium (VTM) is an essential product for ensuring the safe and effective transport of viral and bacterial specimens to laboratories. It supports the viability of viruses and bacteria during transport at room temperature, ensuring accurate and reliable test results, especially for PCR testing and viral diagnostics.