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Supply Shortages Impacting Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Trichomoniasis Testing
Special Communication
Healthcare service providers continue to face new limitations caused by temporary nationwide supply shortages generated by COVID-19 demands.
As a result, Cleveland Clinic Laboratories will temporarily be unable to provide Aptima® Urine Specimen Collection Transport Tubes for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis testing.
Although CCL cannot provide this item, Aptima tubes will continue to remain an acceptable specimen collection container for testing.
Because of the severe shortage of urine tubes, providers should reserve urine testing for men with persistent urethritis. This practice aligns with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What Tests Are Affected
The Aptima urine tube is used to collect specimens for the following tests:
Ordering Options for Gonorrhea/Chlamydia Testing
- GC/Chlamydia Amplification, Urine (UGCCT) using self-supplied Aptima Urine Specimen Collection Transport Tubes
Ordering Options for Trichomoniasis Testing
Specimen Collection for GCCT & TRVAMP
Samples can continue to be collected and submitted with either Aptima kit shown below. Although CCL cannot provide this item, Aptima tubes will continue to remain an acceptable specimen collection container for testing.
For women:
Women can be swabbed with either Aptima Kit.
For Men:
Men can be swabbed with Aptima Unisex Swab (urethral).
Unacceptable Specimen Containers
Do not send urine in a sterile cup.
Because of the limited stability of unpreserved urine for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis testing, Cleveland Clinic Laboratories is currently unable to accept urine in a sterile container (i.e., specimen cup) for UGCCT and TRVAMP orders.
Other Considerations
Cleveland Clinic Laboratories will notify clients when Aptima urine tubes are back in stock and available to order. Conservative ordering practices may be necessary until supplies stabilize.
For help in prioritizing which patients to test for these pathogens, please refer to the recently-issued considerations from the CDC.
Any additional information regarding these changes will be included in a future Technical Update.
If you have any questions about this change, please contact Client Services for assistance.
