Specimen Requirements

Asymptomatic Women

1. Specimen should be obtained from either posterior fornix of vagina or ectocervical region of external cervical os during a sterile speculum examination. Dacron® swab provided in Specimen Collection Kit should be inserted into vagina and lightly rotated across posterior fornix or around ectocervical region of external cervical os for approximately 10 seconds to absorb cervicovaginal secretions.

2. Once specimen is obtained, carefully remove swab from vagina or cervical os and immerse Dacron® tip in tube of buffer provided with Specimen Collection Kit.

3. Break shaft (at score line) even with top of tube. Align shaft with hole inside tube cap and push down tightly over shaft, sealing tube.

4. Write patient’s name and any other identifying information required on tube label.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature. If there is a delay in transport of >8 hours, send specimen refrigerated.

Symptomatic Women

1. Specimen should be obtained from posterior fornix of vagina during a sterile speculum examination. Dacron® swab provided in Specimen Collection Kit should be inserted into vagina and lightly rotated across posterior fornix for approximately 10 seconds to absorb cervicovaginal secretions.

2. Once specimen is obtained, carefully remove swab from vagina or cervical os and immerse Dacron® tip in tube of buffer provided with Specimen Collection Kit.

3. Break shaft (at score line) even with top of tube. Align shaft with hole inside tube cap and push down tightly over shaft, sealing tube.

4. Write patient’s name and any other identifying information required on tube label.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature. If there is a delay in transport of >8 hours, send specimen refrigerated.