Sampling as the first part of the test, the quality of sampling directly affects the results of a series of subsequent tests, and this link is also the most easily ignored, and there is little research. Most of the standards on sampling only a general requirement, some of the standards mentioned in general terms the material of disposable sampling swabs.
On the sampling swab material we introduce several types.
1、Medical swabs
The most common wooden handle cotton swab, the advantage is cheap and easy to obtain, the disadvantage is that may inhibit the PCR reaction, wooden handle is not easy to break, not suitable for virus sampling.
2, rayon swabs
Polyester, polyester or rayon head, the handle is plastic or aluminum swab, the use of winding way to produce swabs, suitable for virology test specimen collection.
3 Flocking swabs are made of nylon fiber by spray technology, which has better water absorption and release, and are widely used in sampling respiratory viruses such as COVID-19
