Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by Amplified Probe Technique. Concommitant testing for Neisseria gonorrhoeae by Amplified Probe Technique is highly recommended.

Swab Specimens: Obtain room temperature Aptima Collection Kit from the UWHC Central Services. Follow instructions included with the Aptima Collection Kit (must use swabs provided).

Females Cervical Specimens: Remove and discard any excess mucus, blood, or examination lubricants prior to collection of cervical specimen.

Male Urethral Specimens: Patient should not urinate for at least 1 hour prior to collection of specimen.

Aptima Unisex Swabs for Female Cervical and Male Urethral Specimens:  Insert unisex swab into the cervix or urethra and rotate 10-30 seconds. Place swab in the Aptima Collection Kit tube and close cap. Do NOT place large white cleaning swab in Aptima Collection Kit tube.

Aptima Multitest Swabs for Vaginal Specimens:  Specimens can be either collected by a clinician or patient collected in a clinical setting, i.e. clinic restroom or exam room.

Aptima Multitest Swabs for Throat and Rectal Specimens:  Clinician collected specimens

Cervical, male urethral, vaginal, throat and rectal specimens may be stored at 2-30°C for up to 7 days.

Urine Specimens: Patient should not urinate for at least 1 hour prior to collection of urine specimen. Collect the first 10-50 mL of first catch urine into polypropylene container without preservatives. Female patients should not cleanse the labial area prior to providing the specimen. Midstream urine or >50 mL may increase the chance of false negative results.

Urine specimens should be transferred to the Aptima urine collection kit or sent in a sterile urine container. Urine specimens must be transferred to the kit within 24 hours of collection. Aptima urine transport tubes must be filled between the two indicator lines on the tube.

Urine specimens not in Aptima Urine Specimen Transport tubes are stable for 24 hours at 2-30°C. Specimens stored in the Aptima Urine Specimen Transport tubes are stable for 7 days at 2-30°C.

Quick Reference Guide for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoeae Testing

Transport specimen to the laboratory as soon as possible.

Swab must remain in the Aptima Collection Kit or specimen is unacceptable and must be recollected.

Female urethral, wooden swabs, or swabs with aluminum shafts are unacceptable.

Aptima Collection Kit Tubes containing both unisex swab and large white cleaning swab or large white cleaning swab only are unacceptable.

Catheter-collected urine specimens are not acceptable.

Aptima Collection Kits that have been punctured.

Urine specimens in Aptima urine transport tubes that are not filled between the two indicator lines on the transport tube.

Age 0 days and up: Negative

Chlamydia trachomatis by Amplified Probe Technique has been validated for female endocervical and vaginal swabs, urethral swabs from symptomatic males, and male and female urine, throat and rectal specimens.

For reliable test results, follow instructions for proper specimen and transport conditions.

Conjunctival and patient collected pharyngeal and rectal specimens can be sent to an approved reference lab for NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplication Testing) or sent for culture.  See C. trachomatis by TMA.  

Culture should be used for post-hysterectomy females who lack a cerivx.

Repeat sampling for test of cure is generally not recommended.

A minimum of 3 weeks must elapse following treatment before repeat testing.