Self-collected vaginal swabs may be used for testing as opposed to provider-collected swabs. Self-collected swabs are supported by current clinical guidelines as recent studies have shown their equivalence, if not superiority, in quality and their association with increased patient satisfaction.
NOTE: Self-collection must still take place in a healthcare setting and is not approved for at-home collection.
LAB ORDERS AND COLLECTION CONTAINERS
Aptima™ Vaginal or Multitest Swab
• LAB3522: APTIMA Chlamydia Gonococcus NAAT
• LAB3524: APTIMA Chlamydia NAAT
• LAB3523: APTIMA Gonococcus NAAT
• LAB3525: APTIMA Trichomonas, NAAT
• LAB1230560: APTIMA Mycoplasma Genitalium (MGen), NAAT
• LAB1230566: APTIMA STI Panel, NAAT
Alinity m multi-Collect Specimen Collection Kit
• LAB1230885 Chlamydia/Gonococcus PCR
ESwab
• LAB3615 Gram Stain – BV/Yeast
Patient collection instructions are located on the training page, under How to Collect, “Self Swab for STI Testing“.
REFERENCES
1) Miller, J.M., Binnicker, M.J., Campbell, S, et al. A Guide to Utilization of the Microbiology Laboratory for Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases: 2018 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Society for Microbiology. Clin Infect Dis, 2018; 67: 813-816.
2) Lunny, C., Taylor, D., Hoang, L., et al. Self-Collected versus Clinician-Collected Sampling for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Screening: A Systemic Review and Meta-analysis. PLoS One, 2015, 10: e0132776.
3) Korownyk, C., Kraut, R.Y., and Kolber, M. R. Vaginal Self-Swabs for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Can Fam Physician, 2018, 64: 448.
4) Stevermer, J. PURLs: Is self-swabbing for STIs a good idea? J Fam Pract, 2013, 62: 651-653.
5) Geelen, T.H., Rossen, J.W., Beerens A. M. et al. Performance of cobas 4800 and m2000 real-time assays for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in rectal and self-collected vaginal specimen. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 2013, 77: 101-105.
6) Chernesky, M.A., Hook, E.W., Martin, D.H. et al. Women find it easy and prefer to collect their own vaginal swabs to diagnose Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections. Sex Transm Dis, 2005, 32: 729-733.
