Microbiology Specimen Collection & Transport Guide
Genital & Sexual Health
Specimens are only acceptable for processing when they are collected and submitted to our laboratories appropriately.
If you have questions regarding the type of container to use for a particular test or specimen, refer to the specimen requirements outlined in the Test Directory.
For assistance or more details regarding the information provided, please contact Client Services. Last updated December 2023.
Specimen Collection & Transport
Sample Type
Gonorrhea & Chlamydia (GCCT)
Mycoplasma genitalium (MYGAMP)
Trichomonas vaginalis (TRVAMP)
Candida & Trichomonas (CVTV)
Bacterial Vaginosis (BVAMP)
Clinician-Collected Vaginal Swab
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
Patient-Collected Vaginal Swab
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
Patient-Collected Penile Meatal Swab
✓ ✓
Clinician-Collected Throat Swab
✓ ✓ ✓
Clinician-Collected Rectal Swab
✓ ✓ ✓
Sample Type
Gonorrhea & Chlamydia (GCCT)
Mycoplasma genitalium (MYGAMP)
Trichomonas vaginalis (TRVAMP)
Candida & Trichomonas (CVTV)
Bacterial Vaginosis (BVAMP)
Female Urine*
✓
✓
✓ ✓
Male Urine*
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
*LAB ONLY: Within 24 hours of collection, aliquot the specimen from the sterile container into a yellow Aptima® Urine Tube (Oracle #10444480). Do not overfill or underfill.
Sample Type
Gonorrhea & Chlamydia (GCCT)
Mycoplasma genitalium (MYGAMP)
Trichomonas vaginalis (TRVAMP)
Candida & Trichomonas (CVTV)
Bacterial Vaginosis (BVAMP)
ThinPrep® PreservCyt®**
✓
✓
**LAB ONLY: Prior to cytology processing, aliquot the specimen from ThinPrep® container into a green Aptima® Specimen Transfer Tube (Oracle #1052559).
✓ ✓ ✓
FDA-approved & preferred
✓ ✓
FDA-approved & acceptable
✓
FDA-approved, but not recommended due to inferior performance
To avoid specimen rejection:
Match the sample type to the correct collection kit.
Pink swab = orange tube
Blue swab = white tube
A maximum of two tests per collection kit are allowed.
• (1) Beaker label per kit
• (1) swab per kit