Changes to Gonorrhea/Chlamydia Testing
Effective immediately, due to national shortage of current collection kit, the method used at UIHC for gonorrhea and chlamydia PCR testing will change. The preferred testing source will be changed to Urine. All other testing sources will be acceptable only when using the Aptima MultiTest Swab Specimen Collection kit. Three important changes are outlines below:
1) For urine specimens:
First catch urine should be collected in a typical collection cup. Do not transport via the tube system. (pipetting into the transport tube will be done at the lab)
2) For non- urine specimens:
Aptima MultiTest Swab Specimen Collection kit (call Mailout Testing at 356-8593 for kits) and old testing kits will no longer be acceptable. Acceptable specimens are:
Self-collected vaginal swabs Clinician-collected cervical swabs in Clinician-collected pharyngeal and rectal swabs
3) Turnaround time will be within (1-4 days) of receipt in the reference laboratory, 24/7, for inpatient/ED specimens and for outpatient specimens received from 8AM-5PM.