Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) /Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) NAAT

Microbiology – Molecular testing

Sample requirements and Aptima collection kits

Full size

Collection procedure guides:

Vaginal swab - Use Aptima Multitest Swab (orange)

Collection:

Do not touch swab tip
Insert swab 3-5 cm into the vagina, gently rotate for 10-30 seconds making sure to touch the walls, then withdraw without touching skin.
Place swab into transport tube, align blackscore line with top, and break at score line and securely cap tube. Do not spill contents.

Rectal swab - Use Aptima Multitest Swab (orange)

Collection:

Do not touch swab tip
Insert swab 3-5 cm into the rectum, gently rotate for 10-30 seconds, then withdraw without touching skin.
Place swab into transport tube, align blackscore line with top, and break at score line and securely cap tube. Do not spill contents.

All rectal swabs positive for Chlamydia trachomatis will be referred for Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) testing

Throat Swab - Use Aptima Multitest Swab (orange)

Collection:

Do not touch swab tip.
Insert swab into mouth, contact bilateral tonsils (or tonsillar fossae if removed) and posterior pharynx. Avoid touching tongue or buccal mucosa.
Place swab into transport tube and break swab at score line into transport tube and cap securely. Do not spill tube contents.

Urine Collection – Use Aptima Urine Collection Kit or send urine is sterile universal

Collection:

First-catch urine (20–30 mL of initial stream). Larger volumes may dilute sample.
Do NOT use collection containers with additives (i.e. boric acid)
Patient should not urinate for at least 1 hour before collection.
Female patients: do not cleanse labial area before collection.
If Aptima tube used - transfer 2 mL urine to Aptima transport tube (between black fill lines) within 24h

Endocervical Swab - Use Aptima Unisex Swab (white)

Collection:

Use cleaning swab (white shaft) to remove excess mucus, then discard.
Insert collection swab (blue shaft) into endocervical canal; rotate 10–30s. Withdraw carefully, avoiding vaginal mucosa.
Place swab into transport tube and break swab at score line into transport tube and recap tightly. Do not spill tube contents

Urethral Swab - Use Aptima Unisex Swab (white)

Collection:

Do not use cleaning swab.
Patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to collection.
Insert specimen swab (blue shaft) 2–4 cm into urethra, rotate 2–3s, then withdraw.
Place swab into transport tube and break swab at score line into transport tube and recap tightly. Do not spill tube contents

Required information

Storage/transport

Once in Aptima collection kits, all samples can be stored at 2–30°C for up to 30 days.
Transport as soon as possible at ambient temperature.

Turnaround time

Up to 4 working days.