Option 1: Gen-Probe® Aptima® Endocervical, Male Urethral, or vagin*l 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 vagin*l 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.
vagin*l swab: Care provider specimen: Collect vagin*l fluid sample using the Gen-Probe® Aptima® vagin*l swab kit by contacting the swab to the lower third of the vagin*l 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® vagin*l 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 vagin* 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 vagin* 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.
