Do samples require pretreatment before they are loaded onto the QIAsymphony instrument?

Pretreatment can improve the nucleic acid extraction for some sample types. Viscous samples (e.g., sputum, respiratory aspirates) might require liquefaction to enable pipetting. Performance may be improved for Gram positive bacteria by pretreatment with lysozyme. Pretreatment protocols are provided in the QIAsymphony DSP Virus/Pathogen Handbook.