Are virus sampling tubes inactivated and non-inactivated used the same way?

We all know that after virus samples are collected, usually the samples are not available for PCR testing in time, so it is necessary to transport the collected virus swab samples, and the virus itself will soon lyse off in vitro to affect the subsequent testing, so when preserving and transporting, it is necessary to add virus preservation solution, and the current virus preservation solution is divided into inactivating preservation solution and non-inactivating preservation solution.

For different testing purposes, we need to use different virus preservation solutions for preservation, and the two types of preservation solutions currently in widespread use have their own characteristics. In order to meet different testing requirements and different experimental conditions for viral testing, it is necessary to use different preservation solutions.

The following is a detailed description of the use of these two types of solutions.

Inactivated Preservation Solution: This is a modified virus lysis type preservation solution mainly for nucleic acid extraction lysates. It can effectively prevent secondary infection of the operator, but contains inhibitors to protect the viral nucleic acid from degradation so that subsequent detection by NT-PCR can be performed. It can be stored at room temperature for relatively long periods of time, saving the cost of preserving and transporting viral samples.

Non-inactivated preservation solution: It is mainly a virus maintenance fluid type preservation solution modified based on the transport medium. It contains Hanks' base solution and other antibiotics to protect the virus protein shell from decomposition and maintain the originality of the virus sample to a greater extent. In addition to the nucleic acid extraction test, this preservation solution can also be used for virus culture and isolation as well as maintaining the originality of the virus sample. This preservation solution can be used for nucleic acid extraction detection, but also for virus culture, isolation and detection of antigens, etc., but long time storage after sampling needs to maintain strict low temperature.