Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Endocervical or vaginal swabs (female only)

First voided urine specimens (male or female)

NOTE: If collecting a swab sample in conjunction with CT/NG testing (LAB7526), please provide 2 seperate swab collection kits. One for each test to ensure adequate specimen for testing.

Endocervical Swab:

1.  Remove excess mucus from cervical os and surrounding mucosa using the large individually wrapped cleaning swab.

2.  Insert second swab from collection kit into endocervical canal.

3.  Rotate swab for 10 to 30 seconds in endocervical canal to ensure adequate sampling.

4.  Withdraw swab carefully; avoid any contact with vaginal mucosa.

5.  Aseptically remove cap from tube, insert swab into Collection Transport Reagent tube, and break swab at score line.  Screw cap on securely.

6. Label specimen and send to care provider.

7.  Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature. Specimen stability is 60 days at 2 to 30°C.

Note:  Indicate specimen source on specimen container and in computer.

Physician or Patient –collected Vaginal Swab:

1.  Remove and discard the large individually wrapped cleaning swab. (For Hospital Setting only)

2.  Using the swab from the collection packet, (instruct patient) or have physician carefully insert swab into vagina about 2 inches inside the opening of the vagina and gently rotate swab for 10 to 30 seconds.  Ensure the swab touches the walls of the vagina so that moisture is absorbed by the swab.

3.  Withdraw swab carefully.

4.  Aseptically remove cap from tube, insert swab into Collection Transport Reagent tube, and break swab at score line.  Screw cap on securely.

5.  Label specimen and send to the care provider.

6.  Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature.  Specimen stability is 60 days at 2 to 30°C.

Note:  Indicate specimen source on specimen container and in computer.

Urine collection:

1.  Patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to specimen collection.

2.  Do not cleanse urethral area prior to specimen collection.

3.  Patient should collect first portion of random voided urine (first part of stream) into a sterile, plastic, preservative-free container.

4.  Ensure that the urine is well mixed in the urine cup and transfer approximately 7 mL of urine into the Xpert UrineTransport Reagent tube using the disposable pipette provided within 4 hours if shipped/stored at room temperature or within 4 days of collection if shipped/stored at 4^oC.  The correct volume of urine has been added when the fluid level reaches the dash line on the urine transport tube.  NOTE:  If the specimen is being sent to the lab within 24 hours, it can be sent in the original urine collection container.

5.  Transport and store urine specimen transport container at 2 to 30°C.  The preserved specimen is acceptable for 14 days at room temperature or 28 days at 4^oC.