(eSwab)
Swab
2.0 mL
Specimen Container: The swab must be placed into a transport medium appropriate for molecular testing. This is typically a Universal or Viral Transport Medium (UTM, VTM, M4, M5, or E-Swab system) or a specific buffer tube provided within a commercial vaginitis PCR panel kit (e.g., those from Hologic Aptima, Roche Cobas, or BD Molecular Swab Collection Kit).
Swab Type: Use only the dacron, rayon, or polyester swab provided in the specific kit. Avoid wooden-shafted swabs or those with calcium alginate tips, which can contain PCR inhibitors.
Storage and Transport Temperature:
Refrigerated (2–8°C): This is generally the optimal storage condition for transport. Specimens are typically stable for up to 7 days, and in some commercial media, up to 30-60 days.
Room Temperature (2–30°C): Acceptable for short-term transport (e.g., 24-72 hours) and often stable for up to 30 days in specific commercial media.
Frozen (-20°C or colder): Acceptable for long-term storage if transport is delayed for more than a few days.
Specimens in any transport media other than indicated above. Specimen in MultiTest swab transport media without a swab.
REFRIGERATED
Tue, Thu, Sat
Next Day
Qualitative Transcription-Mediated Amplification
Molecular
(RML)
Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT)
Vaginitis Panel
Bacterial Vaginosis PCR
BV PCR
Test
Inadequate Specimen Collection: Failure to collect sufficient vaginal secretions or epithelial cells from the vaginal wall can lead to false-negative results or inaccurate quantification.
Antimicrobial Agents: Prior or current use of antibiotics (especially those targeting anaerobes like metronidazole) can reduce the bacterial load of F. vaginae, potentially leading to false-negative results.
Topical Agents: Vaginal creams, gels, lubricants, or antiseptics applied before collection may inhibit the PCR reaction.
Contamination: Improper handling (e.g., touching the swab tip, not breaking the swab correctly) can lead to contamination or loss of sample integrity.
Patient Preparation
Patient must be 14 years of age or older.
Specimen Preparation
Place swab in MultiTest Swab Specimen Transport Tube, break shaft at scoreline then recap tube.
F. vaginae is a Marker, Not Always the Sole Cause: F. vaginae is part of the human vaginal microbiome but is highly associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and its increased abundance, often alongside Gardnerella vaginalis, is a key diagnostic marker in molecular BV panels. Its presence is often measured quantitatively or as part of an index rather than a simple positive/negative result.
Not a Standard STI: BV is a shift in the bacterial balance, not a classic STI caused by a single pathogen, though sexual activity can influence the microbiome.
Clinical Correlation: PCR results are typically used in conjunction with clinical symptoms (e.g., abnormal discharge, fishy odor, high pH) for a definitive diagnosis of BV.
Testing is Lab-Developed: Commercial F. vaginae PCR tests are usually part of a larger, lab-developed multiplex assay for vaginitis panels and may not be individually FDA-cleared.
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