Performance Evaluation of Viral Transport Medium Produced by BRiCM for Reliable Sample Collection of SARS-CoV-2

Abstract A Viral Transport Medium (VTM) was developed following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA, standard operating procedure (SOP) DSR-052-05 with necessary improvisation, was used for storing COVID-19 swab specimens. Considering Bangladesh's present supply chain and storage condition, improvisation was essential for extending sample storage time while retaining efficiency. In-house VTM was produced using Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) supplemented with 1% Bovine serum albumin V (BSA), 0.5 µg /ml of Gentamicin Sulfate, and 100 µg/ml of Fluconazole. The produced VTM composition, quality, sterility, specificity, and efficiency were verified in-house and through an independent contract research organization (CRO). An accelerated stability study projected that under the recommended temperature (4°C), it would remain stable for one year and preserve samples for over a month. The Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) test detected the targeted N gene and ORF1ab gene from VTM stored sample. Our VTM is equally effective as Sansure Biotech VTM in keeping SARS-CoV-2 RNA specimen detectable in rRT-PCR (100% sensitivity and specificity in random and blinded samples). In an import-dependent developing country like Bangladesh, this VTM will ease the fight against pandemics and the supply chain bottleneck of medical and diagnostic equipment caused by it.