Self-collected vaginal swabs may be used for STI testing testing as opposed to provider-collected swabs. Self-collected swabs are supported by current clinical guidelines as recent studies have shown their equivalence, if not superiority, in quality and their association with increased patient satisfaction.
NOTE: Self-collection must still take place in a healthcare setting and is not approved for at-home collection.
LAB ORDERS AND COLLECTION CONTAINERS
Aptima™ Vaginal or Multitest Swab

• LAB3522: APTIMA Chlamydia Gonococcus NAAT
• LAB3524: APTIMA Chlamydia NAAT
• LAB3523: APTIMA Gonococcus NAAT
• LAB3525: APTIMA Trichomonas, NAAT
• LAB1230560: APTIMA Mycoplasma Genitalium (MGen), NAAT
• LAB1230566: APTIMA STI Panel, NAAT
Abbott multi-Collect Specimen Collection Kit

• LAB2111533: Chlamydia, Gonococcus, PCR, Genital Swab
• LAB740: Chlamydia only, PCR, Genital Swab
• LAB785: Gonococcus only, PCR, Genital Swab
Patient collection instructions are located on the training page, under How to Collect, “Self Swab for STI Testing“.
REFERENCES
1) Miller, J.M., Binnicker, M.J., Campbell, S, et al. A Guide to Utilization of the Microbiology Laboratory for Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases: 2018 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Society for Microbiology. Clin Infect Dis, 2018; 67: 813-816.
2) Lunny, C., Taylor, D., Hoang, L., et al. Self-Collected versus Clinician-Collected Sampling for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Screening: A Systemic Review and Meta-analysis. PLoS One, 2015, 10: e0132776.
3) Korownyk, C., Kraut, R.Y., and Kolber, M. R. Vaginal Self-Swabs for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Can Fam Physician, 2018, 64: 448.
4) Stevermer, J. PURLs: Is self-swabbing for STIs a good idea? J Fam Pract, 2013, 62: 651-653.
5) Geelen, T.H., Rossen, J.W., Beerens A. M. et al. Performance of cobas 4800 and m2000 real-time assays for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in rectal and self-collected vaginal specimen. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 2013, 77: 101-105.
6) Chernesky, M.A., Hook, E.W., Martin, D.H. et al. Women find it easy and prefer to collect their own vaginal swabs to diagnose Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections. Sex Transm Dis, 2005, 32: 729-733.