Techniques for specimen collection when testing females for STIs

The following information provides guidance on specimen collection in females. See also Techniques for specimen collection when testing males for STIs

Note: NAAT refers to Nucleic Acid Amplification Test, such as NAAT

Samples are taken during speculum examination.

Endocervical specimens

A Cervical screening test is taken first if due or indicated.

Method

  1. A cotton tipped swab is inserted into the cervical canal only 0.5 cm and
    1. smeared on a slide and air dried for gram stain
    2. placed in a transport medium for gonorrhoea culture
  2. a second cotton tipped swab is inserted 0.5 to 1 cm into the cervical canal and kept in place for 10 to 15 seconds and rotated 1 to 2 times for chlamydia NAAT and gonorrhoea NAAT and mycoplasma genitalium NAAT testing
  3. place in a transport container provided by the lab.

Vaginal specimens

From the lateral vaginal wall with a cotton tipped swab:

  • smeared on a slide and air dried for gram stain for bacterial vaginosis and candida
  • placed in a transport medium for gonorrhoea culture and candida culture.

From the posterior fornix with a cotton tipped swab for:

  • pH performed on a pH strip at the time
  • wet preparation for trichomonas
    • smear on to a slide and place a drop of normal saline on slide - must be read immediately
      • trichomas vaginalis NAAT if indicated.

Self collected vaginal specimens

Sample for chlamydia and gonorrhoea NAAT in asymptomatic female using cotton tipped swab and transported in a container provided by the lab.

Rectal specimens

These are taken if clinically indicated.

Proctoscopy should be performed to inspect for lumps, ulcers, pus, bleeding and specimen collection.

Swabs are taken for:

  • gonorrhoea culture (plate or transport medium)
  • chlamydia NAAT and gonorrhoea NAAT (dry or moistened cotton tipped swab)
  • herpes simplex NAAT if indicated.

Pharyngeal specimens

These are taken routinely in sex workers and samples are collected.

Swabs are taken from each tonsillar fossa for:

  • gonorrhoea culture if suspected or NAAT positive
  • chlamydia and gonorrhoea NAAT for screening.

Ulcer specimens

  • Dry or moist cotton tipped swabs taken from the ulcer base can be tested for herpes simplex virus (HSV) NAAT
  • swabs are transported in an empty transport container or in viral culture medium
  • syphilis NAAT using cotton tipped dry swab if indicated.

First catch urine

Can be performed if no endocervical swabs are available and samples:

  • should not pass urine for at least 2 hours before the sample collection
  • first 10 ml of urine is collected
  • voiding within 30 minutes prior to sample collection should be considered in interpreting results
  • tests for chlamydia NAAT, gonorrhoea NAAT, mycolplasma genitalium NAAT and trichomonas vagnilais NAAT as indicated.