Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Cervix/Endocervix (Females Only)
Collect specimen using cobas PCR Media Dual Swab Specimen Collection System Kit (contains 2 swabs: 1 large white, 1 small white) as follows:
1. Remove excess mucus from exocervix with the cleaning swab (large white swab) provided in cobas PCR Media Dual Swab Specimen Collection System Kit and discard.
2. Insert second swab (small white swab) into endocervix, and rotate swab for 10 to 30 seconds to ensure adequate sampling. (Swab received other than those provided with the kit is not acceptable.)

3. Withdraw swab.
4. Holding tube upright, verify that all medium is at bottom of transport tube. Unscrew cap of transport tube, fully insert swab into tube, and break swab shaft at dark line. Discard the top portion of the swab. Screw cap on securely.
5. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), patient's date of birth, specimen source, and date and time of collection.
6. Send specimen at a temperature between 2 and 30*C.

7. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. When also collecting a Pap test, always collect the Pap specimen first. Then, use the small white swab to collect the cervical specimen for Trichomonas vaginalis testing. Do not use the large white swab.

3. Spermicidal agents and feminine powder sprays interfere with the assay and should not be used prior to collection.

Vaginal:

Collect specimen using cobas PCR Uni Dual Swab Specimen Collection System Kit (contains 1 large white swab) as follows:

1. Insert swab provided in cobas PCR Uni Swab Specimen Collection System kit into vagina and rotate swab for 10 to 30 seconds to ensure adequate sampling. (Swab received other than those provided with the kit is not acceptable.)

2. Withdraw swab.
3. Holding tube upright, verify that all medium is at bottom of transport tube. Unscrew cap of transport tube, fully insert swab into tube, and break swab shaft at dark line. Discard the top portion of the swab. Screw cap on securely.
5. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, specimen source, and date and time of collection.
6. Send specimen at a temperature between 2 and 30*C.

7. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

Urine (Males and Females)
1. Patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to specimen collection.
2. Patient should collect first portion of a voided urine (first part of stream-not midstream) into a screw-capped, sterile, plastic, preservative-free specimen collection container. Instruct patient to collect only the first 10 to 50 mL of the urine stream to avoid dilutional effect.
3. Send 10-50mL of urine in cobas PCR Media Urine transport vial using the disposable pipette provided in the kit, filling until fluid level is between the 2 lines on the vial. Over or under filled transport vials will be rejected. Cap tightly.

4. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, specimen source, and date and time of collection.
5. Send specimen between a temperature of 2-30*C

6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. The primary urine collection container (urine cup) is also acceptable if received in the laboratory within 24 hours of collection when stored and transported at refrigerate temperature.