Necessary Information

Specimen source is required.

Specimen Required

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Swab specimen must be collected using an Aptima Collection Unisex Swab or Aptima Collection Multitest Swab. These swabs are contained in the Aptima Collection Kit.

Specimen Type: Endocervix

Supplies: Swab, Aptima Male/Female Collection (T583)

Container/Tube: Aptima Collection Unisex Swab

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Use cleaning swab (white shaft) to remove excess mucus from endocervix and discard.

2. Insert second swab (blue shaft) 1 to 1.5 cm into endocervical canal and rotate swab gently for 30 seconds. Avoid touching vaginal wall when removing swab.

3. Place second swab into transport tube provided in collection kit. Snap off swab at score line so swab fits into closed tube.

4. Cap tube securely, and label tube with patient's entire name and date and time of collection.

5. Transport and store swab container at 2 to 30° C (refrigerate temperature is preferred) within 60 days of collection. If longer storage is needed, freeze at -20 to -70° C for an additional 90 days.

Specimen Type: Vaginal

Supplies: Swab, Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit (T584)

Container/Tube: Aptima Collection Multitest Swab

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Insert swab (pink shaft) about 5 cm past introitus and rotate gently for 30 seconds.

2. Place swab into transport tube provided in collection kit. Snap off swab at score line so swab fits into closed tube.

3. Cap tube securely, and label tube with patient's entire name, date and time of collection.

4. Transport and store swab container at 2 to 30° C (refrigerate is preferred temperature) within 60 days of collection. If longer storage is needed, freeze at -20 to -70° C for an additional 90 days.

Specimen Type: Urethra (Male patients only)

Supplies: Swab, Aptima Male/Female Collection (T583)

Container/Tube: Aptima Collection Unisex Swab

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions:

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

2. With a rotating movement, insert swab (blue shaft) 2 to 4 cm into urethra.

3. Once inserted, rotate swab gently at least 1 full rotation using sufficient pressure to ensure swab comes into contact with all urethral surfaces. Allow swab to remain inserted for 2 to 3 seconds.

4. Place swab in transport tube provided in collection kit. Snap off swab at score line so swab fits into closed tube.

5. Cap tube securely, and label tube with patient's entire name, date and time of collection.

6. Transport and store swab container at 2 to 30° C (refrigerate is preferred temperature) within 60 days of collection. If longer storage is needed, freeze at -20 to -70° C for an additional 90 days.

Specimen Type: Urine (Male and female patients) and post-prostatic massage fluid/urine (VBIII)

Supplies: Aptima Urine Transport Tube (T582)

Container/Tube: Aptima Urine Specimen Transport Tube

Specimen Volume: 15 to 20 mL

Collection Instructions:

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

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

3. Transfer 2 mL of urine into the Aptima Urine Specimen Transport Tube using the disposable pipette provided within 24 hours of collection. The correct volume of urine has been added when the fluid level is between the black fill lines on the urine transport tube. Place the labels on the transport tube so the black fill lines are still visible for volume confirmation at Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

4. Transport and store urine or post-prostatic massage fluid/urine (VBIII) specimen transport container at 2 to 30° C (refrigerate is preferred temperature) within 30 days of collection. If longer storage is needed for urine specimens other than VBIII, freeze at -20 to -70° C an additional 90 days. VBIII cannot be sent frozen.

Specimen Type: Peritoneal fluid (pelvic wash, cul-de-sac fluid)

Supplies: Aptima Thin Prep Transport Tube (T652)

Container/Tube: Aptima Specimen Transfer Tube

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collected by paracentesis.

2. Obtain specimen using needle and syringe. Refer to the references below.

3. Thoroughly vortex specimen.

4. Transfer 1 mL of specimen into the Aptima Specimen Transfer kit using a disposable transfer pipette or a pipette tip containing a filter (aerosol barrier or hydrophobic plug) within 24 hours of collection.

5. Recap the specimen transfer tube tightly.

6. Transport and store specimen container at 2 to 30° C (refrigerate is preferred temperature) within 30 days of collection. Specimen cannot be sent frozen.

Specimen Type: Penile/urethral meatal swab specimens

Supplies: Swab, Aptima Male/Female Collection (T583)

Container/Tube: Aptima Collection unisex swab

Specimen Volume: swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Roll the swab just at the tip or outside the opening to the penis. Be sure to roll the swab completely around the opening to get the best sample.

2. Immediately place the swab into the collection tube.

3. Carefully break the swab shaft at the score line and recap the tube.