RESUMEN
In 2019, the European Union banned Triton X-100, a detergent widely used in laboratory diagnostics, including the Viral PCR Sample Solution (VPSS), and urged manufacturers to find environmentally sustainable alternatives. Tergitol 15-S-9 (VPSS2) has been proposed as an alternative surfactant. This multicenter study evaluated the effectiveness of VPSS2, a Tergitol-based viral solution, as a replacement for VPSS. Our results show the equivalent performance of VPSS2 to VPSS for nucleic acid extraction and viral stability over time at different temperatures. The new VPSS formulation was also tested against external quality assurance panels and clinical samples. The results of this work support adopting this modified viral PCR sample solution to replace Triton X-100-containing viral transport solutions.
The European Union has banned Triton X-100. All reagents containing it should be replaced. Could a new Viral PCR Sample Solution (VPSS) containing Tergitol 15-S-9 be a suitable replacement?
RESUMEN
Removing the swab after collection can speed up diagnosis and improve the quality of laboratory procedures. This study investigates the impact of swab removal on SARS-CoV-2 detection in clinical specimens with a focus on high Cycle threshold (Ct) samples (Cts≥32). The method assessed pairs of SARS-CoV-2 samples mimicking combined throat and nose swabs and tested them on two real-time-PCR platforms; the Applied Biosystems 7500 and the Abbott Alinity. Swab removal did not significantly affect detection rates of SARS-CoV-2 samples with Ct values<32, regardless of the PCR platform. However, reduced reproducibility was seen at the endpoint limit of detection of the platforms, which meant that fewer samples with Ct values≥32 were detected in the swab removal group.
