Viral Transport Medium (VTM) is a specialized sterile liquid or gel used for the collection, preservation and transportation of viral specimens.Its primary functions are to maintain the stability of viral particles, prevent nucleic acid degradation, and inhibit microbial contamination, making it an essential consumable for viral detection.

Basic Composition

Buffered salt system (such as PBS or Hank's solution) to maintain isotonicity and stable pH, protecting viral structure from osmotic damage.

Protein stabilizers (e.g., BSA, gelatin, sucrose) to coat viral particles and reduce degradation.

Antibacterial and antifungal agents (e.g., gentamicin, amphotericin B) to suppress bacterial and fungal overgrowth.

Inactivated VTM contains lysis buffer and RNase inhibitors to quickly inactivate viruses while preserving nucleic acids.

Non-inactivated VTM uses cell culture-based formulations to maintain viral infectivity for isolation and culture.

Product Types

Inactivated VTM: Inactivates viruses, preserves nucleic acids, low biosafety risk, stable at room temperature, suitable for PCR and molecular testing.

Non-inactivated VTM: maintains intact viral activity, requires cold chain storage at 2–8°C, supports viral isolation, antigen and molecular assays.

Available in liquid, gel and dry formats for different transportation and storage conditions.

Performance Features

Strictly sterile, with no exogenous microbial contamination.

Good stability: inactivated type remains stable for several days at room temperature; non-inactivated type stable for 48–72 hours at 2–8°C.

Compatible with PCR, antigen testing, gene sequencing and viral isolation.

Leak-proof design ensures safe transportation.

Applications

Clinical Viral Detection

Respiratory viruses including influenza, RSV, adenovirus and other common pathogens.

Other viral infections such as hand, foot and mouth disease, herpes, hepatitis and related viruses.

Compatible with oropharyngeal swabs, nasopharyngeal swabs, sputum, lavage fluid and other specimen types.

Public Health and Disease Control

Large-scale screening, epidemiological investigation, port quarantine and outbreak response.

Environmental virus monitoring for cold-chain goods and surface samples.

Scientific Research and Surveillance

Viral isolation, strain identification, vaccine research and serological studies.

Animal virus surveillance in livestock, poultry and wildlife.

Field and Community Testing

Suitable for grassroots and field sampling where cold chain is limited.

Used in home testing kits and point-of-care screening systems.

Selection Guidelines

For PCR and molecular testing: choose inactivated VTM for safety and room-temperature stability.
For viral isolation, culture or antigen detection: use non-inactivated VTM with 2–8°C cold chain.
For long-distance transportation: select gel-type or strongly sealed VTM to prevent leakage and volatilization.