Chlamydia Collection Information

The laboratory issues collection kits for urine and swab samples. This contains a lysis buffer which should not come into contact with the skin, eyes, or mucus membranes.

Female swab collection protocol for endocervical samples

Using one of the two swabs (provided), remove excess mucus from the cervical os and surrounding mucosa. Discard this swab after use.

• To collect the specimen, insert the second swab into the cervical canal & gently rotate the swab 5 times in one direction to ensure adequate sampling.
• Place the swab into the tube until the visible score mark is aligned with the tube rim & break the swab at this point; discard the top portion of the swab.

Handling precautions

• DO NOT pre-wet collection swabs with the collection media before obtaining the endocervical specimen.
• Use care to avoid splashing of contents.

Urine collection protocol

Patient should provide a first-catch urine (approximately 10 to 50 mL of the initial urine stream) into a sterile urine collection cup (not provided).

• Using the plastic pipette (provided), transfer the urine into the sample tube at a level within the two black lines indicated on the label. If transfer cannot be done immediately unstabilized urine may be held for up to 24 hours at 2-30˚C.
• Cap & invert the tube 5 times to mix

Handling precautions

• Female patients should not cleanse the labial area prior to providing specimens.
• DO NOT collect specimen from patients who are menstruating.
• Female and male patients should not have urinated for at least one hour prior to sampling.
• Use care to avoid splashing of contents.

Storage & transport to laboratory

Once in the transport medium the samples are stable at ambient temperature (2°C to 30°C) for up to 90 days.

Web Page 43 Reviewed 28/06/2019