Chlamydia trachomatis and Gonococci PCR

Patient Preparation

Aptima Urine Sample

• The patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to specimen collection.
• Direct patient to provide a first-catch urine (approximately 20 to 30 mL of the initial urine stream) into a urine collection cup free of any preservatives. (Collection of larger volumes of urine may result in rRNA target dilution that may reduce test sensitivity).
• Female patients should not cleanse the labial area prior to providing the specimen.
• Remove the cap and transfer 2 mL of urine into the 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 specimen transport tube label. 4. Re-cap the urine specimen transport tube tightly.

Aptima vaginal swabs (orange label)

• Partially peel open the swab package. Remove the swab. Do not touch the soft tip or lay the swab down. If the soft tip is touched, the swab is laid down, or the swab is dropped, use a new APTIMA Vaginal Swab Specimen Collection Kit.
• Hold the swab, placing your thumb and forefinger in the middle of the swab shaft covering the score line. Do not hold the swab shaft below the score line.
• Carefully insert the swab into the vagina about 2 inches (5 cm) past the introitus and gently rotate the swab for 10 to 30 seconds. Make sure the swab touches the walls of the vagina so that moisture is absorbed by the swab and then withdraw the swab without touching the skin.
• While holding the swab in the same hand, unscrew the cap from the tube. Do not spill the contents of the tube. If the contents of the tube are spilled, use a new APTIMA Vaginal Swab Specimen Collection Kit.
• Immediately place the swab into the transport tube so that the score line is at the top of the tube.
• Carefully break the swab shaft at the score line against the side of the tube.
• Immediately discard the top portion of the swab shaft.
• Tightly screw the cap onto the tube.

Aptima endocervical swabs (white and purple label)

• Remove excess mucus from the cervical os and surrounding mucosa using the cleaning swab (white shaft swab in the package with red printing). Discard this swab. Note: To remove excess mucus from the cervical os, a large-tipped swab (not provided) may be used.
• Insert the specimen collection swab (blue shaft swab in the package with the green printing) into the endocervical canal. Gently rotate the swab clockwise for 10 to 30 seconds in the endocervical canal to ensure adequate sampling.
• Withdraw the swab carefully; avoid any contact with the vaginal mucosa.
• Remove the cap from the swab specimen transport tube and immediately place the specimen collection swab into the transport tube.
• Carefully break the swab shaft against the side of the tube at the scoreline and discard the top portion of the swab shaft; use care to avoid splashing of contents.
• Re-cap the swab specimen transport tube tightly.

Aptima male urethral swabs (white and purple label)

• The patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to sample collection.
• Insert the specimen collection swab (blue shaft swab in the package with the green printing) 2 to 4 cm into the urethra.
• Gently rotate the swab clockwise for 2 to 3 seconds in the urethra to ensure adequate sampling.
• Withdraw the swab carefully.
• Remove the cap from the swab specimen transport tube and immediately place the specimen collection swab into the transport tube.
• Carefully break the swab shaft against the side of the tube at the scoreline and discard the top portion of the swab shaft; use care to avoid splashing of contents.
• Re-cap the swab specimen transport tube tightly.

Aptima eye swabs (orange label)

• Partially peel open the swab package. Remove the swab. Do not touch the soft tip or lay the swab down. If the soft tip is touched, the swab is laid down, or the swab is dropped, use a new APTIMA Swab Specimen Collection Kit.
• Hold the swab, placing your thumb and forefinger in the middle of the swab shaft covering the score line. Do not hold the swab shaft below the score line.
• Hold the swab parallel to the cornea and gently rub the conjunctiva in the lower eyelids from nasal side outwards.
• Swab any pus or exudates as well as any lesion of interest.
• While holding the swab in the same hand, unscrew the cap from the tube. Do not spill the contents of the tube. If the contents of the tube are spilled, use a new APTIMA Vaginal Swab Specimen Collection Kit.
• Immediately place the swab into the transport tube so that the score line is at the top of the tube.
• Carefully break the swab shaft at the score line against the side of the tube.
• Immediately discard the top portion of the swab shaft.
• Tightly screw the cap onto the tube.
• If both eyes are to be swabbed, label swabs ‘right’ and ‘left’ accordingly