Specimen Requirements

Swab specimens must be collected using an Aptima Collection Unisex Swab or Aptima Collection Multitest Swab.  See collection flier for more details on applicable collection containers for each specimen type.

Specimen Type: Endocervix/cervix

Supplies: Aptima Unisex Swab Collection Kit (T583 – white label)

Container/Tube: Aptima Unisex Swab

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Specimens must be collected using the Aptima Unisex Swab Collection Kit

2. Use cleaning swab (white shaft) to remove excess mucus from endocervix/cervix.

3. Discard the cleaning swab.

4. 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.

5. Place the blue shaft swab into transport tube provided in collection kit.

6. Snap off swab at score line so swab fits into closed tube.

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

8. Maintain 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: Aptima Multitest Swab Collection Kit (T584 – orange label)

Container/Tube: Aptima Multitest Swab

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Specimens must be collected using the Aptima Multitest Swab Collection Kit.

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

3. Place 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 collection date and time.

5. Maintain 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: Aptima Unisex Swab Collection Kit (T583 – white label)

Container/Tube: Aptima Unisex Swab

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Specimens must be collected using the Apitma Unisex Sab Collection Kit.

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

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

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

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

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

7. Maintain 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

Supplies: Aptima Urine Transport Tube (T582 – yellow label)

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. Within 24 hours of collection, transfer 2 mL of urine into the Aptima Urine Specimen Transport Tube using the disposable pipette provided. The correct volume of urine has been added when the fluid level is between the black fill lines on the urine transport tube.

4. Place the labels on the transport tube so the black fill lines are still visible for volume confirmation at Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

5. Maintain urine specimen transport container at 2 to 30° C (refrigerate is preferred temperature) within 30 days of collection. If longer storage is needed, freeze at -20 to -70° C up to an additional 90 days.

Specimen Type: Penile/meatal

Supplies: Aptima Multitest Swab Collection Kit (T584 – orange label)

Container/Tube: Aptima Multitest Swab

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Specimens must be collected using the Aptima Multitest Swab Collection Kit.

2. Roll the swab (pink shaft) 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.

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

5. Maintain 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.