Viral Specimen Collection and Transport Clinical Microbiology Review 283
Time of Collection
Site of collection
Collection containers
Swabs
Transport media
Transport
Storage
During acute phase (1st 3–5 days).Site of infection, entry & exit sites.Sterile, leak-proof, non-breakable.Dacron, rayon, or other polyester tips. Plastic or aluminum shafts. Calcium alginate, cotton, wood are
inhibitory for some viruses.Viral transport medium (VTM), 2-sucrose phosphate (2-SP), Amies or Stuart’s transport media. Not
required for blood, CSF, urine.Deliver immediately. If not possible, keep at 2°–8°C & deliver within 2 hr. Exception: Keep whole
blood at room temp.Best to process upon arrival. If not possible, hold at 2°–8°C for up to 48 hr. >48 hr, freeze at –70°C.
(Not recommended.)