(eSwab)
Swab
2.0 mL
The swab must be immediately placed into the specific transport medium provided in the kit to stabilize the nucleic acids.
Storage and Transport Temperature:
Room Temperature (2–30°C): Specimens are generally stable for an extended period, typically between 30 to 60 days after collection.
Refrigerated (2–8°C): This is often the preferred storage condition for delayed transport, with similar stability of up to 60 days.
Frozen (-20°C or colder): For long-term storage (e.g., over 60 days or up to 12 months), specimens can be frozen.
Prompt Transport: Specimens should be sent to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection to ensure timely processing.
Handling: The swab shaft must be broken off at the score line against the inside of the tube, and the cap tightly secured to prevent leakage and evaporation.
Unlabeled or mislabeled specimens
Transport tubes with 2 swabs
Transport tubes with non-GenProbe swabs
Swabs in M4 transport media
White cleaning swab
Underfilled or overfilled Aptima Urine Collection Tubes
Room Temperature
Monday – Friday
24 to 72 hours
Transcription-Mediated Amplification
Molecular
(RML)
Aptima C trachomatis CT TMA NAAT
Test
Topical Agents: Vaginal creams, gels, lubricants, moisturizers, or antiseptics can interfere with the test chemistry and should be avoided before collection.
Antibiotics: Recent or current antibiotic therapy may reduce the amount of detectable DNA/RNA, potentially resulting in false-negative results.
Incorrect Collection Materials: Use of expired kits, non-approved swabs (e.g., cotton, wood-tipped), or inappropriate transport media will lead to rejection.
Patient Preparation:
Vaginal/Cervical Samples: Patients should avoid douching or using vaginal inserts/medications for at least 24 hours before collection. Female patients should not cleanse the labial area prior to providing a urine specimen.
Specimen Source Labeling: The exact anatomical site of collection (e.g., endocervical, urethral, pharyngeal, rectal) must be clearly indicated on both the specimen label and the laboratory requisition form.
Self-Collection: Patient-collected vaginal swabs in a clinical setting are an acceptable alternative for screening asymptomatic women.
Legal Cases: For cases involving sexual assault or abuse, culture-based methods may be required for legal purposes, in addition to NAAT testing. NAAT media is not suitable for culture.
Negative
87491
6349-5
31208-2
