Genital & Sexual Health

Microbiology Specimen Collection & Transport Guide

Genital & Sexual Health

Specimens are only acceptable for processing when they are collected and submitted to our laboratories appropriately.

If you have questions regarding the type of container to use for a particular test or specimen, refer to the specimen requirements outlined in the Test Directory.

For assistance or more details regarding the information provided, please contact Client Services.

Download this Guide (.pdf)

Specimen Collection & Transport

Aptima® Multitest Swab

Aptima® Multitest Swab Collection Kit

This kit is used for the following tests:

  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae & Chlamydia trachomatis, NAAT (GCCT)
  • Mycoplasma genitalium, NAAT (MYGAMP)
  • Trichomonas vaginalis, NAAT (TRVAMP)
  • Candida & Trichomonas vaginalis, NAAT (CVTV)
  • Bacterial Vaginosis, NAAT (BVAMP)
Order Aptima® Multitest Swabs

Sample Type

Gonorrhea & Chlamydia (GCCT)

Mycoplasma genitalium (MYGAMP)

Trichomonas vaginalis (TRVAMP)

Candida & Trichomonas (CVTV)

Bacterial Vaginosis (BVAMP)

Vaginal Swab, Patient or Clinician-Collected
collected in a healthcare setting

✓ ✓ ✓

✓ ✓ ✓

✓ ✓ ✓

✓ ✓ ✓

✓ ✓ ✓

Penile Meatal Swab, Patient-Collected
collected in a healthcare setting

✓ ✓ 

Rectal Swab, Clinician-Collected

✓ ✓ ✓

Rectal Swab, Patient-Collected
collected in a healthcare setting

*

Throat Swab, Clinician-Collected

✓ ✓ ✓

Aptima® Unisex Swab

Aptima® Unisex Swab Collection Kit

This kit is used for the following tests:

  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae & Chlamydia trachomatis, NAAT (GCCT)
  • Mycoplasma genitalium, NAAT (MYGAMP)
  • Trichomonas vaginalis, NAAT (TRVAMP)
Order Aptima® Unisex Swabs

Sample Type

Gonorrhea & Chlamydia (GCCT)

Mycoplasma genitalium (MYGAMP)

Trichomonas vaginalis (TRVAMP)

Candida & Trichomonas (CVTV)

Bacterial Vaginosis (BVAMP)

Endocervical Swab, Clinician-Collected

✓ ✓ 

✓ 

✓ ✓ 

Male Urethral Swab, Clinician-Collected

✓ ✓ 

✓ ✓ 

Sterile Container

Sterile Container

This container is used for the following tests:

  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae & Chlamydia trachomatis, NAAT (GCCT)
  • Mycoplasma genitalium, NAAT (MYGAMP)
  • Trichomonas vaginalis, NAAT (TRVAMP)
Order Sterile Containers

Sample Type

Gonorrhea & Chlamydia (GCCT)

Mycoplasma genitalium (MYGAMP)

Trichomonas vaginalis (TRVAMP)

Candida & Trichomonas (CVTV)

Bacterial Vaginosis (BVAMP)

Female Urine*

✓ 

✓ 

✓ ✓ 

Male Urine*

✓ ✓ ✓

✓ ✓ ✓

✓ ✓ ✓

*LAB ONLY: Within 24 hours of collection, aliquot the specimen from the sterile container into a yellow Aptima® Urine Tube (Oracle #10444480). Do not overfill or underfill.

ThinPrep®

ThinPrep® & Collection Device

Note: This can only be ordered as an add-on test by contacting Client Services at 800.628.6816.

This kit is used for the following tests:

  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae & Chlamydia trachomatis, NAAT (GCCT)
  • Trichomonas vaginalis, NAAT (TRVAMP)

Sample Type

Gonorrhea & Chlamydia (GCCT)

Mycoplasma genitalium (MYGAMP)

Trichomonas vaginalis (TRVAMP)

Candida & Trichomonas (CVTV)

Bacterial Vaginosis (BVAMP)

ThinPrep® PreservCyt®**

✓ 

✓ 

**LAB ONLY:  Prior to cytology processing, aliquot the specimen from ThinPrep® container into a green Aptima® Specimen Transfer Tube (Oracle #1052559).

✓ ✓ ✓

FDA-approved & preferred

✓ ✓ 

FDA-approved & acceptable

✓ 

FDA-approved, but not recommended due to inferior performance

*

Lab-Developed Test (LDT), not FDA-approved

To avoid specimen rejection:

Match the sample type to the correct collection kit.

Pink swab = orange tube
Blue swab = white tube

A maximum of two tests per collection kit are allowed.
• (1) Beaker label per kit
• (1) swab per kit