Geisinger Medical Laboratories Microbiology Specimen Collection Instructions
CONJUNCTIVAL SPECIMENS FOR CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS
Conjunctival specimens can only be tested for C. trachomatis; not acceptable for N. gonorrhoeae testing. Order and collect culture for N. gonorrhoeae testing.
- If pus or discharge is present, use a sterile Dacron swab (not provided) to clean the area. Do not scrape the conjunctiva while cleaning the eye(s). Discard the cleaning swab.
- If both eyes are affected, swab the least-affected eye first or collect separate specimens on each eye.
- Thoroughly swab the lower, then the upper conjunctiva two to three times each with the conjunctival/urethral swab from the APTIMA® Unisex Swab Collection Kit
- Place the specimen swab (one swab only) into an appropriately labeled APTIMA® Unisex Swab Collection Kit
- Snap off the swab shaft at the score line or cut shaft to fit tube.
- Cap tube.
- Store and transport at room temperature (15-30°C).
Revised: 1/27/2017