Option 1: Gen-Probe® Aptima® Endocervical, Male Urethral, or Vaginal Swab
Endocervical swab:
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.
Insert the specimen collection swab (blue-shaft swab in the package
with 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 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 at the scoreline; use care to avoid
splashing of the contents. Recap the swab specimen transport tube
tightly.
Male urethral swab: The patient should not
have urinated for at least one hour prior to specimen 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 two to three 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 specimen transport tube. Carefully break the swab shaft at
the scoreline; use care to avoid splashing of contents. Recap the swab
specimen transport tube tightly.
Vaginal swab: Care provider specimen:
Collect vaginal fluid sample using the Gen-Probe® Aptima® vaginal swab
kit by contacting the swab to the lower third of the vaginal wall and
rotating the swab for 10 to 30 seconds to absorb fluid. Immediately
place the swab into the transport tube and carefully break the swab
shaft against the side of the tube. Tightly screw on the cap. Patient self-collection: Partially open the package of the Gen-Probe® Aptima® vaginal swab kit. 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. Remove the swab. Carefully insert the swab into
the vagina about two inches past the introitus and gently rotate the
swab for 10 to 30 seconds, making sure the swab touches the walls of the
vagina so that moisture is absorbed by the swab. Withdraw the swab
without touching the skin. Immediately place the swab into the transport
tube, and carefully break the swab shaft against the side of the tube.
Tightly screw on the cap.
Option 2: Urine Specimen: The patient should not have urinated for at least one 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 specimen dilution that may reduce test
sensitivity; lesser volumes may not adequately rinse organisms into the
specimen. Female patients should not cleanse the labial area
prior to providing the specimen. Add urine to the Aptima® Combo 2 urine
collection device. The final volume must be between the two black lines
on the device (about 2 mL).
Option 3: Liquid-based Cytology Specimen
ThinPrep® Vial - Broom or Brush/Spatula
Broom-like collection technique:
Obtain a sample from the cervix using a broom-like device by inserting
the brush portion into the cervical os and then rotate the brush five
times. Rinse the collection device in the PreservCyt® solution by
pushing the brush into the bottom of the vial 10 times, forcing the
bristles to bend apart to release the cervical material. As a final
step, twirl the brush between the thumb and forefinger vigorously to
further release cellular material. Discard the collection device.
Tighten the cap on the ThinPrep® vial so that the torque line on the cap
passes the torque line on the vial.
Brush/spatula technique:
Insert the brush into the endocervical canal until only the bottommost
fibers are exposed. Slowly rotate the brush ¼ to ½ turn in one
direction. Do not over-rotate the brush. Then, rotate the brush
in the PreservCyt® solution 10 times while pushing against the wall of
the ThinPrep® vial. Swirl the brush vigorously to release additional
material. Discard the brush. Obtain an adequate sample from the
ectocervix using a plastic spatula. Swirl vigorously in the ThinPrep®
vial 10 times and discard the spatula. Tighten the cap on the ThinPrep®
container so that the torque line on the cap passes the torque line on
the vial.
