Difference in CT RT-PCR Value of SARS-COV-2 on VTM Non-inactivated with VTM Inavtivated

Nasopharyngeal swab collection for SARS-CoV-2 examination by RT-PCR requires Viral Transport Medium (VTM) using VTM non-activated and inactivated. This study determined the difference in CT values for SARS CoV-2 RT-PCR examination in non-activated VTM and inactivated VTM. This study is a comparative analytical study with a cross-sectional method using 20 confirmed positive samples for SARS-CoV-2 at RSU. Dr. Suyoto was analyzed by the T-Independent test (N gene) and Mann-Whitney test (ORF1ab gene) using SPSS with α=0.05. The results showed that VTM non-inactivated had a mean CT value of the N gene 33.56 ± 1.39 and the ORF1ab gene 35.4 ± 1.94, while VTM inactivated had an average CT value of 32.24 ± 1.44 for the N and ORF1ab gene 33.93 ± 3.22. Statistical analysis was tested by the T-independent test (N gene), and the Mann Whitney test (ORF1ab gene) between the use of VTM non-inactivated and VTM inactivated in the SARS CoV-2 RT-PCR examination, obtained p-value 0.05 with a mean difference the results of Ct gene n (p=0.006) and gene ORF1ab (p=0.028). This indicated a difference in the mean C CT value of the SARS CoV-2 RT-PCR examination in non-activated VTM and inactivated VTM.