Development of an inactivated viral transport medium for diagnostic testing in low-resource countries

Authors

  • Silmi Rahmani School of Life Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia
  • Karlia Meitha School of Life Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia
  • Popi Septiani School of Life Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia
  • Neil Priharto School of Life Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia
  • Kamarisima Kamarisima School of Life Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia
  • Ratih A. Ningrum Research Center for Genetic Engineering, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1709-0247
  • Marissa Angelina Research Center for Pharmaceutical Ingredient and Traditional Medicine, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Indonesia
  • Dian F. Agustiyanti Research Center for Genetic Engineering, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4104-876X
  • Popi H. Wisnuwardhani Research Center for Genetic Engineering, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9430-1650
  • Herjuno A. Nugroho Research Center for Applied Microbiology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Indonesia
  • Marselina I. Tan Sekolah Ilmu dan Teknologi Hayati-Institut Teknologi Bandung

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52225/narra.v5i3.2068

Keywords:

Inactivated VTM, SARS-CoV-2, inactivation, diagnostics, RT-qPCR

Abstract

Viral transport medium (VTM) is crucial for retaining clinical specimens, such as the virus or its genetic material from the mucus of respiratory tract of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) suspected patients. However, the locally produced VTM in Indonesia lacks the ability to inactivate the virus, risking the safety of diagnostic personnel. The aim of this study was to formulate inactive VTM (iVTM) incorporating chaotropic agents like guanidine salt, along with anionic detergents, chelators, buffers, and surfactants, to inactivate the virus while maintaining RNA integrity. Viral RNA stability in iVTM (pH 4 and pH 6) was evaluated for 30 days at 4°C and 25–28°C. In vitro inactivation test was performed on SARS-CoV-2 isolate (variant B1). The stability test revealed that storing the clinical specimens in iVTM at pH 6 maintained severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) detectability by qPCR for up to 30 days at cold and room temperatures. Stability assessments conducted over a 4-month period (at 25–28°C) on iVTM with a pH of 6 revealed clear appearance, consistent pH stability, no alteration in the solution color, and no indications of bacterial or fungal contamination. Results from an in vitro inactivation assay demonstrated that iVTM pH 6 eliminated SARS-CoV-2 infectivity within just five minutes of contact. These findings suggest that iVTM pH 6 offers a safer and cost-effective alternative for handling and transportation of clinical specimens.

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How to Cite

Rahmani, S., Meitha, K., Septiani, P., Priharto, N., Kamarisima, K., Ningrum, R. A., Angelina, M., Agustiyanti, D. F., Wisnuwardhani, P. H., Nugroho, H. A., & Tan, M. I. (2025). Development of an inactivated viral transport medium for diagnostic testing in low-resource countries. Narra J, 5(3), e2068. https://doi.org/10.52225/narra.v5i3.2068

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Section

Short Communication

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