Specimen Requirements

1. Aptima Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kit for Endocervical and Male Urethral Swab Specimens.
2. Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit
3. Aptima Urine Collection Kit for Male and Female Urine Specimens

Specimen Collection

1. Endocervical swabs in Aptima Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kit or Aptima Multitest Specimen Collection Kit
   1. The collection kit contains the following:
      1. One unisex collection swab
      2. One cleaning swab
      3. One Aptima transport tube containing 2.9 mL of transport media
   2. The collection kits are stored at room temperature (15°C to 30°C) and are stable until the expiration date on the kit.  Do not use expired Aptima Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kits.
                      Note: If the tube contents are spilled, discard the tube and obtain a new one.
   3. Remove excess mucus from the cervical os and surrounding mucosa using the cleaning swab (white swab in the package with the red printing). Discard this swab in a biohazard waste container.  If the swab contained in the package is not sufficient to remove excess mucus from the cervical os, a large tipped swab (not contained in the collection kit) may be used.
   4. Insert the specimen collection swab (blue shaft swab in the package with the green printing) into the endocervical canal.
   5. Gently rotate the swab clockwise for 10 to 30 seconds in the endocervical canal to ensure adequate sampling.
   6. Withdraw the swab carefully while avoiding contact with the vaginal mucosa.
   7. Remove the cap from the swab specimen transport tube and immediately place the specimen collection swab into the transport tube.
   8. Carefully break the swab shaft against the side of the tube at the scoreline and discard the top portion of the swab shaft.  Avoid splashing the contents of the tube when breaking the swab off into the tube.
   9. Recap the tube tightly.
   10. Label the specimen with the patient’s name, ID number and/or date of birth, date and time of collection and collector’s initials.
2. Vaginal swabs in Aptima Multitest Swabs
   1. 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 Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.
   2. 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.
   3. 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.
   4. 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 Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.
   5. Immediately place the swab into the transport tube so that the score line is at the top of the tube.
   6. Carefully break the swab shaft at the score line against the side of the tube.
   7. Immediately discard the top portion of the swab shaft.
   8. Tightly screw the cap onto the tube.
   9. Label the specimen with the patient’s name, ID number and/or date of birth, date and time of collection and collector’s initials.
3. Urine Specimens submitted in Aptima Urine Specimen Collection Kits for Male and Female Urine Specimens
   1. The patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to specimen collection.
   2. Direct the patient to provide a first-catch urine (approximately 20 to 30 mL of the initial 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.
   3. Remove the cap and transfer 2mL 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.
   5. Label the specimen with the patient’s name, ID number and/or date of birth, date and time of collection and collector’s initials.
   6. Urine specimens must be transferred to the Aptima urine specimen transport tube within 24 hours of collection.