B Medical Systems - Maintaining the integrity of cold chain in laboratory testing COVID19 - White
SAVING LIVES THROUGH RELIABLE AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY Maintaining the Integrity of Cold Chain in Laboratory Testing for COVID-19 As the world tries to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, the race for a vaccine and effective treatment against SARS-CoV-2 virus has been witnessing substantial progress with significant number of clinical trials launched across the world. However, with health officials and drug manufacturers’ indicating that we are still about 12-18 months away from successfully developing, trialling and launching a vaccine, national bodies are looking for effective containment strategies as an immediate action. A significant step towards this is the efficient testing and diagnosis of COVID-19. Testing not only allows the infected to receive adequate and appropriate care, but also helps understand the spread and take evidence-based measures to slow it down. With most countries and laboratories ramping up testing of suspected cases, a number of test variants using different specimens have emerged. Even though the most common among them are throat swabs, saliva samples etc. for PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test, some national bodies are also conducting antibody tests that require blood to be drawn and analyzed. Irrespective of the type of test, the accuracy of the test results depends on the integrity of the specimens. From their collection to the laboratory, they must be handled with the greatest care. In order to ensure accurate results, it is essential to understand and implement the storage and transport conditions mandated by the regulatory bodies. According to the interim guidance provided by WHO [1] , specimens for virus detection should reach the laboratory as soon as possible after collection. In addition, as per official guidelines, specimens that are delivered promptly to the laboratory can be stored and shipped at 2-8°C. However, when there is a higher likelihood of delay in the specimens reaching the laboratory, the use of viral transport medium is strongly recommended. Specimens may be frozen to -20°C or ideally to -70°C and shipped on dry ice if further delays are expected. More details on the specimen type and the recommended temperature range can be found in Table 1: Table 1: Specimen Collection and Storage [1] Specimen type Collection materials Storage temperature until testing in-country laboratory Recommended temperature for shipment according to expected shipment time Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab Serum Stool Whole blood Urine Dacron or polyester flocked swabs [2] Serum separator tubes (adults: collect 3-5 ml whole blood) Stool container Collection tube Urine collection container 2-8°C if ≤ 5 days -70°C (dry ice) if > 5 days (Endo)tracheal aspirate, 2-8°C if ≤ 2 days nasopharyngeal Sterile container [2] -70°C (dry ice) if > 2 days or nasal wash/aspirate Bronchoalveolar lavage Sterile container [2] Sputum Sterile container 2-8°C Tissue from biopsy or autopsy including from lung Sterile container with saline or VTM 2-8°C if ≤ 24 hours -70°C (dry ice) if > 24 hours 01 | 02 B Medical Systems [1] Source: WHO Interim Guidance. March 2020 [2] For transport of samples for viral detection, use viral transport medium (VTM) containing antifungal and antibiotic supplements. Avoid repeated freezing and thawing of specimens. If VTM is unavailable, sterile saline may be used in place of VTM (in such a case, duration of sample storage at 2-8 °C may be different from what is indicated above).
