Evaluation of a new Medium for Molecular Detection of Influenza A and B Viruses in Clinical Specimens

A new molecular transport medium (SIGMA-MM™) was evaluated for its suitability in influenza A and B diagnostics using clinical specimens positive for A(H1N1)pdm09 and B-Victoria lineage viruses. Nasopharyngeal samples collected through surveillance were incubated in SIGMA-MM™ or standard Eagle’s MEM for 10 and 30 minutes at ambient temperature before being analysed by real-time RT-PCR targeting influenza M and NS genes, alongside MDCK cell culture for infectivity assessment. RT-PCR performance in SIGMA-MM™ was equivalent to Eagle’s MEM, showing no loss of sensitivity or change in Ct values across conditions. In contrast, viral infectivity was completely abolished in SIGMA-MM™ samples, with no cytopathic effect or antigen detection observed after primary or secondary MDCK passages, confirming effective inactivation. Overall, SIGMA-MM™ demonstrated equivalent molecular diagnostic performance to standard transport media while fully eliminating viral infectivity, supporting its suitability for safe transport and downstream RT-PCR detection of influenza A and B viruses.