From Swab to Result: How Automation Enhances the Accuracy of Virological Assays

Getting virology results right the first time depends on flawless pre-analytical practice and consistent downstream processing. Two factors make the greatest difference: using high-performing collection devices and removing human variability through automation. As Copan’s long-standing UK distributor, Don Whitley Scientific (DWS) supports laboratories with both – pairing Copan’s collection and transport solutions with scalable automation to improve accuracy, safety, and turnaround.

Why the Swab Matters

Pre-analytical errors are one of the leading causes of diagnostic variability [1]. The choice of collection device and transport medium directly influences how much viral material reaches the assay and how well it is preserved.

This is where Copan FLOQSwabs® set a new standard in sample collection. Unlike traditional wound fibre tips, which can trap material within their structure, FLOQSwabs® feature short, perpendicular nylon fibres that maximise sample uptake and release. Multiple studies have shown that FLOQSwabs® improve both cellular and pathogen recovery, thereby increasing the sensitivity of downstream virology testing [2].

When paired with FLOQSwabs®, Copan’s Universal Transport Medium (UTM®) represents the gold standard for viral specimen collection. Formulated with antibiotics and antimycotics to prevent bacterial and yeast overgrowth, UTM® preserves viruses, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, and Ureaplasma while maintaining cellular integrity. Glass beads ensure efficient homogenisation of viscous samples, while a range of FLOQSwab® types enables optimal collection from specific patient sites. Together, FLOQSwabs® and UTM® help laboratories maintain specimen integrity across rapid antigen, culture, and molecular testing.

Where inactivation and nucleic-acid stability are critical – such as in RT-PCR workflows or when safe handling outside containment is required – Copan’s eNAT® medium (guanidine thiocyanate-based) offers two essential benefits: rapid viral inactivation to protect staff, and robust RNA/DNA stability to safeguard results. Peer-reviewed studies and manufacturer data confirm that eNAT® effectively inactivates relevant viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, while preserving nucleic acids for days at ambient temperatures. This ensures accurate detection even when ideal cold-chain conditions are not available [3,4].

Bottom line: pairing FLOQSwabs® with UTM® or eNAT® ensures consistent, high-quality sample collection and protects the integrity of every specimen from collection through to result.

Automation: Accuracy Through Standardisation

Even with the right collection device, manual processing can introduce variability through uneven aliquoting and inconsistent specimen handling – issues that are particularly significant in virology, where even small errors can affect assay sensitivity and reliability.

At DWS, we provide the Copan UniVerse®, which automates sample aliquoting to streamline and standardise pre-analytical steps, while remaining compatible with any molecular platform. Its advantages include precise, traceable specimen handling, reduced hands-on time, and fewer manual transfer steps – all of which enhance efficiency, consistency, and confidence in virology workflows [5].

At its core, UniVerse® uses three robotic arms to manage containers, de-capping, re-capping, pipetting, and aliquoting, as well as automatic vortexing, barcode scanning, and tube/plate labelling – all within a laminar BSL-2 flow hood to ensure operator safety.

UniVerse® offers four flexible modes: tube-to-tube, tube-to-plate, pooling multiple tubes into a single secondary tube, or pooling into a single plate well. This versatility allows the system to adapt to a wide range of workflows. By automating and standardising these critical steps, UniVerse® ensures consistent, reliable, and high-throughput processing for modern virology laboratories.

Pulling it Together: A Robust, Evidence-Based Workflow

1. Collect correctly – Copan FLOQSwabs® maximise uptake and release of epithelial cells and viral particles, improving detection of low-titre infections.
   
   
2. Stabilise and protect:
   • UTM® for comprehensive virology workflows, including antigen, culture, and molecular testing.
   • eNAT® for workflows requiring safe inactivation and RNA/DNA preservation, ensuring RT-PCR accuracy and biosafety.
     
     
3. Standardise processing – UniVerse® automates repetitive specimen-handling steps, reducing pre-analytical variability and improving reproducibility and turnaround times.

This end-to-end approach – from sample collection and preparation through to the final Ct value – minimises invalid results, reduces repeat testing, and provides greater confidence, even in borderline or low-level positives.

Suggested Configurations:

• High-throughput respiratory RT-PCR: Minitip or Nasopharyngeal FLOQSwabs® + eNAT® for safe, stable RNA/DNA; automated aliquoting via UniVerse® ensures consistent volumes and full pre-analytical traceability. 

• Mixed antigen, culture, and molecular respiratory testing: Nasopharyngeal FLOQSwabs® + UTM® to enable parallel rapid tests, culture, and PCR from a single specimen without compromising integrity.

Ready to Strengthen Your Virology Workflow?
Speak to DWS about implementing Copan’s collection devices and pre-analytical automation in your laboratory. Together, they deliver the accuracy, biosafety, and efficiency that modern virology laboratories demand.

 

References

1. Plebani M. Diagnostic Errors and Laboratory Medicine - Causes and Strategies. EJIFCC. 2015 Jan 27;26(1):7-14. PMID: 27683477; PMCID: PMC4975219.
2. Daley P, Castriciano S, Chernesky M, Smieja M. Comparison of flocked and rayon swabs for collection of respiratory epithelial cells from uninfected volunteers and symptomatic patients. J Clin Microbiol. 2006 Jun;44(6):2265-7. doi: 10.1128/JCM.02055-05. PMID: 16757636; PMCID: PMC1489401.
3. Richard-Greenblatt M, Comar CE, Flevaud L, Berti M, Harris RM, Weiss SR, Glaser L. Copan eNAT Transport System To Address Challenges in COVID-19 Diagnostics in Regions with Limited Testing Access. J Clin Microbiol. 2021 Apr 20;59(5):e00110-21. doi: 10.1128/JCM.00110-21. PMID: 33579730; PMCID: PMC8091855.
4. Richard-Greenblatt M, Comar CE, Flevaud L, Berti M, Harris RM, Weiss SR, Glaser L. Copan eNAT Transport System To Address Challenges in COVID-19 Diagnostics in Regions with Limited Testing Access. J Clin Microbiol. 2021 Apr
5. Chan, M., Hink, K., Wong, S., & Levett, P. (2024, April). Workflow comparison and evaluation of an automated instrument for handling sample preparation in clinical laboratory [Conference poster]. Canadian Association for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (CACMID) Annual Conference, Victoria, Canada. Copan Diagnostics.
   https://www.dwscientific.com/storage/app/media/Copan/posters
6. Fontana C, Favaro M, Pelliccioni M, Minelli S, Bossa MC, Altieri A, D'Orazi C, Paliotta F, Cicchetti O, Minieri M, Prezioso C, Limongi D, D'agostini C. Laboratory Automation in Microbiology: Impact on Turnaround Time of Microbiological Samples in COVID Time. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023 Jul 1;13(13):2243. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13132243. PMID: 37443637; PMCID: PMC10340299. 20;59(5):e00110-21. doi: 10.1128/JCM.00110-21. PMID: 33579730; PMCID: PMC8091855.
7. Trigueiro G, Oliveira C, Rodrigues A, Seabra S, Pinto R, Bala Y, Gutiérrez Granado M, Vallejo S, Gonzalez V, Cardoso C. 2024. Conversion of a classical microbiology laboratory to a total automation laboratory enhanced by the application of lean principles. Microbiol Spectr 12:e02153-23.