High stability of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA under minimal storage conditions for detection by Real-Time PCR

Summer, S.; Schmidt, R.; Herdina, A. N.; Krickl, I.; Madner, J.; Greiner, G.; Mayer, F.; Perkmann-Nagele, N.; Strassl, R.

Reliable diagnosis, executed by Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR), builds the current basis in SARS-CoV-2 containment. Transport and storage conditions are the main indicators determining the quality of respiratory specimens. According to shortages in commercially available viral transport media, the primary aim of this study was to explore the reliability of minimal transport media including saline and CDC Viral Transport Media (HBSS VTM) composition for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis by Real-time PCR compared to recommended commercially available standard Universal Transport Media (UTM). This study also implicated the stability of other respiratory viruses, including influenza A, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, rhinovirus and human metapneumovirus, providing further evidence for future recommendations on transport and storage of respiratory viruses. Both viral transport media (self-made HBSS VTM and UTM) and saline (0.9% NaCl) allow adequate detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, regardless of an increase in storage temperature (up to 28 {degrees}C) and time (over 28 days). Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 specimens with varying chlorine concentrations, commonly used in swimming pools, resulted in a significant decrease of viral RNA.