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Comparative evaluation of different transport media for H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

Baleshwari Dixit1,2, Harshad Vinayakrao Murugkar3, Shanmugasundaram Nagarajan3

  • 1College of Veterinary Science & A. H., Rewa, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur, MP, India. baleshwarivpe@gmail.com.

Scientific Reports
|November 10, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Normal saline (NS), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and charcoal-based viral transport medium (CVTM) effectively preserved H5N1 influenza virus infectivity under simulated field conditions. These economical and accessible media are suitable for challenging sample transport in developing countries.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Sample collection, storage, and transport are challenging in developing countries due to unfavorable environmental conditions and limited access to appropriate transport media (TM) and cold chain maintenance.
  • The H5N1 influenza virus poses a significant public health threat, necessitating reliable methods for its detection and surveillance, especially in resource-limited settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of five different transport media (phosphate-buffered saline, 50% glycerol + PBS, normal saline, viral transport medium, and charcoal-based viral transport medium) in preserving H5N1 influenza virus infectivity under simulated field conditions.
  • To identify cost-effective and readily available media suitable for sample transport in resource-limited settings.

Main Methods:

  • Five transport media (NS, PBS, 50% glycerol + PBS, VTM, CVTM) were tested for their ability to protect H5N1 influenza virus infectivity.
  • Virus-spiked fecal samples and allantoic fluid were stored and transported under simulated field conditions for up to 7 days.
  • Virus isolation was performed every 12 hours using embryonated chicken egg inoculation, followed by hemagglutination (HA) test and RT-PCR for identification.
  • Virus survivability was quantified by calculating percent infectivity and analyzed using logistic regression.

Main Results:

  • Normal saline (NS), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and charcoal-based viral transport medium (CVTM) demonstrated the highest effectiveness in maintaining H5N1 virus integrity.
  • These three media are easily available, economical, and less complex to prepare, making them suitable for field use.
  • A significant difference in virus survivability was observed only in viral transport medium (VTM) between allantoic fluid and fecal samples.

Conclusions:

  • NS, PBS, and CVTM are recommended as effective and practical transport media for H5N1 influenza virus surveillance in challenging field conditions, particularly in developing countries.
  • The findings support the use of readily available and economical media to overcome logistical barriers in sample transportation for infectious disease monitoring.
  • Further research may explore the long-term stability and broader applicability of these media for other viruses.
Keywords:
InfectivityInfluenzaSurvivalTransport media

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