FOR COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT OF SAMPLESFOR NUCLEIC ACID AMPLIFICATION TESTS Intended use: VIROSWAB/TRANSFER is a transport system used for the collection and transport of cells from clinical samples or from the environment, for isolation of nucleic acids that will be used in nucleic acid amplification tests. Summary and explanation of the test: Amplification of nucleic acids isolated of the cells obtained from clinical samples or from the environment by methods like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is widely used for various purposes like detection of infectious agents, identification of their genotypes, identification of DNA sequences that lead to genetic diseases, drug resistance, etc. The sensitivity of these methods is very much dependant on the appropriate collection and transport of the samples. VIROSWAP/TRANSFER is a kit prepared to enable this. VIROSWAP/TRANSFER is made up of two parts: Sterile dacron swab in a plastic package for collecting the sample and sterile transport medium in a crack-proof plastic tube. Samples obtained by the dacron swab is put in the transport medium. Specimens like a biopsy, scrapings, discharge can directly be put into the medium. Limitations: RNA molecules are very susceptible to nuclease digestion that may be coming from degrading cells. If amplification is intended to be done using RNA molecules as a template, it is recommended to transport the samples in an icebox and isolate nucleic acids within 4 hours. Principles of the procedure: VIROSWAB/TRANSFER is designed in a way to enable easy collection and appropriate transport of the samples. Polycarbonate tubes will not crack as glass tubes when the samples are frozen to preserve for an extended period of time. On the other hand the glass like transparent structure makes it easy to visualize and manipulate the samples. Dacron swab is kept dry; after collecting the sample the shaft of the swab is broken and the swab is placed into the tube containing the transport medium. The shaft of the swab is made from special plastic to enable easy breaking. The transport medium contains tris which keeps the pH around 8.0, which is suitable for nucleic acid preservation. Samples may contain nucleases (DNAse and RNAse) which will digest free nucleic acids and prevent their amplification. These enzymes require Mg++ as their co-factor to be functional. EDTA that is included in the transport medium strongly binds Mg++ and thus inhibits nucleases and preserve nucleic acids. Ingredients: Sterile dacron swab in a plastic package. Nucleic acid transport medium (20mM Tris (pH 8.0), 2mM EDTA) 3ml in plastic tube.