Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Cervix, endocervix, nasopharynx, ocular, rectum, throat, or urethra.

Cervix/Endocervix

A plastic- or wire-stemmed, Dacron® swab must be used. (Calcium alginate swab or swab with wooden shaft is not acceptable.)

1. Remove mucus and exudate from exocervix with a large swab. Discard swab.
2. Insert Dacron® swab past squamocolumnar junction.

3. Rotate swab for 5 to 10 seconds using pressure to dislodge cells.

4. Withdraw swab without touching vaginal surfaces.

5. Transfer swab to tube of viral transport media.

6. Break off stem, and replace cap on transport tube.

7. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

8. Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Nasopharyngeal
1. Insert small Dacron® swab through nostril into posterior nasopharynx. (Calcium alginate swab or swab with wooden shaft is not acceptable.)

2. Rotate swab gently.
3. Withdraw swab.

4. Transfer swab to tube of viral transport media.

5. Break off stem, and replace cap on transport tube.
6. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

7. Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Ocular
1. Topical anesthetic may be applied to eye(s).
2. Wipe inner surface of upper and lower eyelids with small Dacron® swab. (Calcium alginate swab or swab with wooden shaft is not acceptable.) (If specimens are taken from both eyes, use swab on less affected eye first.)
3. Transfer swab to tube of viral transport media.
4. Break off stem, and replace cap on transport tube.
5. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

6. Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  Specimen source is required on requisition for processing.

Rectum
1. Insert large Dacron® swab 3 cm into anal canal. (Calcium alginate swab or swab with wooden shaft is not acceptable.)

2. Move swab from side-to-side to sample crypts.
3. Withdraw swab. If swab is contaminated with feces, discard swab and recollect.
4. Transfer swab to tube of viral transport media.
5. Break off stem, and replace cap on transport tube.
6. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

7. Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Throat

1. Use  Dacron® swab to collect sample from back of throat avoiding tongue and uvula. (Calcium alginate swab or swab with wooden shaft is not acceptable.)

 2. Remove swab and transfer swab to tube of viral transport media.

3. Break off stem, and replace cap on transport tube.
4. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

5. Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  Specimen source is required on requisition for processing.

Urethra
1. Patient should not urinate for at least 1 hour before specimen collection.
2. Express and discard any urethral discharge before collecting specimen.
3. Insert small Dacron® swab 2 cm to 4 cm into urethra. (Calcium alginate swab or swab with wooden shaft is not acceptable.)

4. Rotate swab using pressure to dislodge cells. Allow swab to remain in place for 2 to 3 seconds.
5. Withdraw swab.

6. Transfer swab to tube of viral transport media.
7. Break off stem, and replace cap on transport tube.
8. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

9. Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.