Large-Scale, In-House Production of Viral Transport Media To Support SARS-CoV-2 PCR Testing in a Multihospital Health Care Network during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Kenneth P. Smith, Annie Cheng, Amber Chopelas, Sarah DuBois-Coyne, Ikram Mezghani, Shade Rodriguez, Mustafa Talay, James E. Kirby
Abstract
) values of spiking experiments, we found that our VTM supported highly consistent amplification of the SARS-CoV-2 target (coefficient of variation = 2.95%) using the Abbott RealTime SARS-CoV-2 Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) assay on the Abbott m2000 platform. VTM was also found to be compatible with multiple swab types and, based on accelerated stability studies, able to maintain functionality for at least 4 months at room temperature. We further discuss how we met logistical challenges associated with large-scale VTM production in a crisis setting, including use of a staged assembly line for VTM transport tube production.