Microbiology Collections
Genital Tract
| Female Cervix |
|
|---|---|
| Preparation | Use speculum pre-moistened with water - no lubricant. Wipe clean of vaginal secretion and mucus. |
| Type, Number or Volume | Insert swab into cervical os; take 2 swabs. |
| Container or Transport Device | Culturette. For Trichomonas, Chlamydia and GC DNA testing; Endocervical in APTIMA Unisex Swab Specimen Collection kit (obtain special collection and transport devices from laboratory).. Place blue swab in Swab Specimen Transport Tube, break shaft off at scoreline then recap tube. Stability: Refrigerated = 30 days. |
| Technique | Compress cervix with speculum. Use rotating motion with swab. Obtain exudate from endocervical glands. |
| Comments | Obtain serum for RPR if syphilis suspected. Urethra and vaginal wall are best sites to culture for GC. Also culture anaorectal canal. Vaginal and rectal cultures are recommended for prenatal Group B strep cultures. |
| Urethra | |
| Preparation | Wipe dry with sterile gauze. |
| Type, Number or Volume | Urethral secretions or discharge. |
| Container or Transport Device | Culturette. |
| Technique | Collect 1 hour or more after voiding. Collect discharge; if unavailable, milk urethra. If no discharges, collect material from about 2 cm inside urethra. |
| Comments | Urethra and vaginal wall are best sites to culture for GC. Also culture anaorectal canal. Vaginal and rectal cultures are recommended for prenatal Group B strep cultures. |
| Vagina | |
| Preparation | Use speculum without lubricant for adult. For child instill with sterile eyedropper through vaginoscope with sterile saline. Withdraw vaginoscope and aspirate fluid with eyedropper. |
| Type, Number or Volume | Swab for GC or yeast. Aspirate for Trichomonas. Aspirate for GC in children. |
| Container or Transport Device | Culturette; sterile tube with saline for Trichomonas. Submit any aspirate in sterile tube. For Trichomonas, Chlamydia and GC DNA testing; Vaginal swab in APTIMA vaginal swab collection kit (obtain special collection and transport devices from laboratory). Place blue swab in Swab Specimen Transport Tube, break shaft off at score line then recap tube. Stability: Refrigerated = 30 days. |
| Technique | Swab mucosa high in vaginal canal or aspirate. Collect aspirate for Trichomonas. |
| Comments | Check ulceration for syphilis, herpes, soft Chandre. Wet mount trichomonas and yeast. |
| Male Penis, Penile lesion and/or drainage |
|
| Preparation | Do not use alcohol! Wipe clean with sterile gauze or swab. |
| Type, Number or Volume | Calcium alginate or rayon swab preferred. |
| Container or Transport Device | Sterile tube, culturette, or swab with transport media. For Trichomonas, Chlamydia and GC DNA testing; Male urethral swab in APTIMA Unisex Swab Specimen Collection kit. Place blue swab in Swab Specimen Transport Tube, break shaft off at scoreline then recap tube. Stability: Refrigerated = 30 days. |
| Technique | Swab penis and/or lesion; collect drainage in sterile container. |
| Comments | Obtain serum for RPR if syphilis suspected. NOTE - Urine can be used for amplified probe testing for both GC and Chlamydia. |
| Urethra | |
| Preparation | Wipe clean with sterile gauze or swab. |
| Type, Number or Volume | - |
| Container or Transport Device | Sterile tube, culturette, or swab with transport media. |
| Technique | Collect urethral exudates. If none, use sterile platinum loop; gently scrape mucosa of anterior urethra or use a flexible wire swab inserted into the urethra. |
| Comments | Preferred site for GC. NOTE - Urine can be used for amplified probe testing for both GC and Chlamydia. |
| Prostatic Fluid | |
| Preparation | - |
| Type, Number or Volume | Secretions for smear and culture. |
| Container or Transport Device | Sterile tube or swab with transport media. |
| Technique | Digital massage through rectum. |
| Comments | Helpful for some chronic UTI. |
| Anal Both Sexes |
|
| Preparation | - |
| Type, Number or Volume | Culturette. |
| Container or Transport Device | Culturette. |
| Technique | Insert swab about 25mm to sample anal crypts. |
| Comments | For GC culture only - cannot be used for ANY probe testing |