Chlamydia Collection Information

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

Female swab collection protocol for endocervical samples

WARNING: Do not pre-wet swab in PCR media before collection

CLEAN: Using the woven swab (provided), remove excess mucus from the cervical os and surrounding mucosa. Discard this swab after cleaning.

COLLECT: To collect the specimen, hold the flocked swab (provided) above the score line and insert into the cervical canal. Gently rotate the swab 5 times in one direction to ensure adequate sampling.

ALIGN: Remove the cap from the PCR Media Tube and lower the swab into the tube until the visible score mark is aligned with the tube rim.

BREAK: bend the swab against the tube rim to break the shaft at the score line

CLOSE: Tightly recap the PCR Media Tube. Discard the top portion of the swab

Urine collection protocol

WARNING: DO NOT collect specimen from patients who are menstruating.

PRPARE: Patients should not have urinated for at least one hour prior to sampling.

COLLECT: Patient should provide a first-catch urine (approximately 10 to 50 mL of the initial urine stream) into a sterile urine collection cup.

TRANSFER: Using the plastic pipette (provided), transfer the urine into the sample tube. The correct volume of urine has been added when the fluid level is between the 2 black lines on the tube label.

CLOSE: Tightly recap the PCR Media Tube.

MIX: Invert the tube 5 times to mix

Storage & transport to laboratory

If transfer cannot be done immediately unstabilized urine may be held for up to 24 hours at 2-30˚C.

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 last updated 23/06/2020