Media Transport System

UniTranz-RT®

SUMMARY
Proper specimen collection and transport play a critical role in laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases associated with viruses, chlamydiae, mycoplasmas, and ureaplasmas. UniTranz-RT is a self-contained, ready-to-use system that allows for the collection and safe transport of clinical samples from the collection site to the testing laboratory. UniTranz-RT transport medium is stable at room temperature and consists of a balanced buffer solution to maintain neutral pH, antimicrobial agents, a source of protein, and sucrose as a preservative. The system is offered with a self-centering cap and vial to safely contain and transport biological specimens and a single or double-scored plastic shaft swab to collect the specimens.

PRINCIPLES OF THE PROCEDURE
Each vial of Puritan UniTranz-RT consists of modified Hank’s balanced salt solution, gelatin, and bovine serum albumin as stabilizers, sucrose, glutamic acid, and (4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid) HEPES. The presence of buffered salts in the medium protects pathogens that are sensitive to pH changes. Gelatin and bovine serum albumin are sources of nutrition to support the viability of fastidious bacteria during storage and transport. Sucrose aids in the preservation of viruses and chlamydiae when specimens are frozen for prolonged storage. Antimicrobial agents are incorporated to minimize commensal bacterial and fungal contamination. Phenol red is added to act as a pH indicator.

STORAGE
The optimum storage temperature is 36-77°F (2-25°C) until used.

FEATURES:

• Available selections include 1 mL and 3 mL vials with solution only, or with large, mini, and ultra-fine tip swab.
• Sustains viability for viruses, chlamydiae, mycoplasmas, and ureaplasmas.
• Contains antimicrobial agents to minimize bacterial and fungal contamination.