NucleoProtect VET

DNA / RNA stabilization and sample inactivation for molecular testing

Convenient sampling, inactivation of infectious viruses, storage, and shipment, all made easy with the NucleoProtect VET stabilization and inactivation solution. Molecular results will be unaffected regardless of whether your veterinary specimens are shipped cold or at ambient temperatures, require multiple days for shipment, or are frozen for longer term storage. Stabilizing your samples means bringing higher accuracy and less variance into your results. The intuitive design including peel-off barcodes allows easy sampling on farms or in the wild.

Click to read more: 

• Sampling formats

• Handling features

• Sample inactivation and storage

• Application data

• Product brochure

Safe and easy sampling

NucleoProtect VET products are intuitive, single-step storage and transport systems for collection of swab or blood specimens. 

Reliable test results

The reagent removes virulence while reliably preserving nucleic acids in the sample. Sample stabilization increases accuracy and precision of molecular tests, reduces variability, and brings standardization and comparability between laboratories to a new level. 

Simplifying logistics

The nucleic acid stabilizer makes cold chain logistics obsolete and allows shipment and storage at ambient temperatures. 

User protection

Effective inactivation of infectious viruses reduces the risk of laboratory-acquired infections and spread of diseases.

Time saving

NucleoProtect VET samples can be transferred directly to pre-analytical nucleic acid extraction procedures which streamlines diagnostic testing and laboratory routines.

Secure traceability

Both swab and blood tubes come with double barcode labels with peel-off section for definitive sample tracking and management (including human readable text).

Principle of method

NucleoProtect VET consists of a novel, non-hazardous proprietary formula that destroys viral envelopes and denatures capsid proteins, removing virulence from swab or blood samples whilst maintaining the integrity of nucleic acids. Inactivation occurs within 30 minutes at ambient temperature (15-25°C). No further processing of the sample is required ahead of nucleic acid extraction.

Sampling formats

The NucleoProtect VET reagent is available in three different sampling formats:

• Pre-filled syringes for blood collection: NucleoProtect VET Blood Tubes
• Pre-filled swab collection tubes: NucleoProtect VET Swab Tubes
• Bottled reagent: NucleoProtect VET reagent

Handling features

Barcode sample tracking

Secure sample tracking by double barcode labels with peel-off section. The peel-off part is self-adhesive and can be transferred to sample request forms. Barcode: Code 128 with embedded human readable text.

Simple swab removal

The integrated swab holder, designed to facilate the capture of the swab handle, allows both simple and safe sample collection in the field and efficient sample processing in the laboratory. The swab can be easily removed from the sample by unscrewing the cap.

Easy blood sampling

The product design allows gentle collection of animal blood samples according to the aspiration technique; the blood samples are immediately mixed and stabilized with the prefilled NucleoProtect VET inactivation reagent. The blood collection tubes are compatible with all common Luer cannulas.

Proven inactivation of high risk viruses

NucleoProtect VET reagent inactivates > 99.99 % of pathogenic animal viruses, independent of the background matrix

Infectious viruses are immediately inactivated within the NucleoProtect VET solution, enabling safe handling for both veterinarians and for laboratory staff. The inactivation capacity of the NucleoProtect VET reagent has been demonstrated for various background matrices and viruses which are known to have different envelope structures as well as susceptibilities to disinfectants: FMDV (small non-enveloped virus), BTV-5 (large non-enveloped virus), LSDV (large enveloped virus), PPRV and BCoV (enveloped virus). The table shows the level of virus titer reduction as shown via the Tissue Culture Infections Dose (TCID) assay (incubation time: 30 min). 

These data were collected in a joint collaboration project with the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health of Germany.

Reliable DNA and RNA preservation for molecular testing

NucleoProtect VET stabilization capacity was tested with all naturally occurring viral genome structures, such as ssRNA, dsRNA, and dsDNA. Nucleic acids are reliably preserved over different storage periods and conditions, making cold chain logistics obsolete and reducing the risk of sample degradation.

Application data - NucleoProtect VET Swab Tubes

NucleoProtect VET Swab Tubes increase reproducibility and accuracy of molecular diagnostic testing

 Bovine saliva was spiked with lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV). Foam swabs, rayon swabs, and flocked swabs were dipped into the saliva sample for 30 seconds each (n= 4). From each swab type, two swabs were placed into NucleoProtect Swab tubes and two were placed into screw cap tubes containing 1.5 mL of cell culture medium. The tubes were stored at room temperature, 4 °C and 37 °C respectively for the indicated time period (T0 = 2 h RT). LSDV DNA was extracted in duplicates from each tube using the NucleoMag VET Kit and analyzed via qPCR. The data show 4 Cq-values (blue / grey dots) and the corresponding mean value(orange bar). The results show the stabilization of LSDV DNA in NucleoProtect Swab tubes at the different storage conditions and the high accuracy of detection of LSDV with different swab types. In contrast, the sensitivity of the detection of LSDV in unstabilized swab samples clearly decreases after storage at room temperature or 37 °C, independent of swab type. NucleoProtect VET Swab tubes can be used with the included swab (flocked swab) or with the swab of your choice. 

These data were collected in a joint collaboration project with the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health of Germany.

In-vivo experiments show higher sensitivity for NucleoProtect VET-stabilized oral swab samples from FMDV positive cattle

Five foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) positive cattle were sampled using standard rayon swabs. The swab samples were subsequently incubated in 1.5 mL NucleoProtect VET stabilization solution or minimal essential medium for 24 h at ambient temperature and then purified in duplicates using the MACHEREY‑NAGEL NucleoMag VET kit. FMDV RNA was detected using qRT-PCR. Data show the mean value of duplicate samples and the max and min values. The comparison of the mean Cq-values of swab samples stored in NucleoProtect VET stabilization solution versus minimal essential medium demonstrates the increase in sensitivity, as FMDV is detected between 1.2 and 4.3 Cq-values earlier in the NucleoProtect VET stabilization solution. Note: Samples were collected from individual cattle, resulting in variable viral titers and Cq-values. These data were collected in a joint collaboration project with the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health of Germany.

Application data - NucleoProtect VET Blood Tubes

NucleoProtect VET Blood Tubes reliably preserve nucleic acids of various pathogenic viruses independent of viral titer concentration and animal species

Bovine, goat, sheep, and porcine blood samples were spiked with low, medium and high virus titers of the canine distemper virus (ss(-)RNA), porcine enterovirus (ss(+)RNA), bluetongue virus (dsRNA), or the vaccinia virus (dsDNA). Spiked blood samples were collected in NucleoProtect VET Blood Tubes and stored according to the indicated storage conditions (T0= 2 h at room temperature). Nucleic acids were extracted in triplicate per test time point using the NucleoMag VET kit and subsequently analyzed via qPCR. The data show 12 Cq-values for each test time point (triplicate extraction for each of the four animal blood types (blue dots) and the resulting mean value (orange bar)). The data indicate that nucleic acids are efficiently preserved independent of animal blood type, virus species or virus titer. The overall Cq variance is below ± 1 Cq on average.

NucleoProtect VET Blood Tubes reduce variability and increase reliability of veterinary test results

Bovine, sheep, goat and porcine blood samples were spiked with low and high viral titers of the bluetongue virus (BTV-8). Samples were either collected with NucleoProtect VET Blood tubes or as EDTA-blood samples. Samples were shipped to four independent laboratories which extracted the nucleic acids within a time period of 2 – 7 days post collection using the MACHEREY-NAGEL NucleoMag VET kit (extraction was performed in duplicates). All eluates were analyzed in duplicates in one laboratory using a qRT-PCR assay with 45 cycles. The data represent 16 resulting Cq-values (blue dots) and the resulting mean value (orange bar). The data show that with EDTA blood collection tubes, the variation in analytical results can be very large, and even false negative results and high losses in sensitivity are possible. In contrast, data for the NucleoProtect VET Blood tubes show highly reproducible results and minimal variance, regardless of animal species, shipping and storage conditions.

These data were collected in a joint collaboration project with the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health of Germany.