Swab Orders
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Aptima Collection devices for combined Chlamydia / Gonorrhoeae testing / Trichomonas vaginalis
From March 1st 2022 UCD NVRL were made aware of global shortages of the following collection devices provided by Hologic:
- Aptima® Multitest Swab Specimen Collection (Vaginal; Throat; Rectal; Penile meatal) Kit No. 03546
- Aptima® Urine Specimen Collection (Male and Female Urine Specimens) Kit No. 301040
- Aptima® Unisex Swab Specimen Collection (Female endocervical/Male urethral) Kit No. 301041 (very limited supply - please note Multitest Swabs are an alternative option)
These shortages are as a result of recent SARS-CoV-2 surges in the USA. Hologic has confirmed that they are in the advanced stages of rectifying these matters and assure us that they will soon be providing additional manufacturing capacity with delays ceasing in the coming weeks.
Regrettably, until these matters are completely resolved, UCD NVRL are not in a position to complete orders in full as we must distribute the stock we have on site across multiple service users.
Every effort is being made to complete orders in a timely manner however some sites may experience delays based on the size of their order and when we receive stock from Hologic.
Should you receive an incomplete order and still require additional collection devices please submit a new order.
Please always remember to check expiry dates on devices before their use.
UCD NVRL sincerely apologises for the evident inconvenience caused; this situation is outside the control of UCD NVRL.
Mulitiest swab collection gude
Oracol Saliva Collection Devices
The device is designed to be used in a similar way to a toothbrush. Saliva is collected by rubbing the sponge swab firmly along the gum (at the base of the teeth if present) until the sponge is wet, this takes about 1 minute. Once the sponge is sufficiently wet, replace the sponge swab back into the test tube and insert the cap. The sample is then ready to be sent to the laboratory for processing.
Copan UTM
Copan UTM™, Universal Transport Medium, is a room temperature stable transport medium for collection, transport, maintenance and long term freeze storage of viruses and other intra-cellular pathogens. Copan swabs may be used to collect samples for the following investigations: Herpes Simplex virus, Varicella Zoster virus, Adenovirus, Enterovirus, Parechovirus, Measles & Mumps (however, buccal swabs are preferable) and the respiratory pathogen screen, i.e. nose and throat swabs (screen includes Adenovirus, Bocavirus, Coronavirus, Influenza A and B, Human metapneumovirus, Parainfluenza (1-4) virus, Respiratory syncytial virus, Pan-Rhino/Entero virus,Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae). More information is available here on Product Information and How-to-Use.
Please note: While the Copan UTM swabs state they are suitable for Chlamydia, Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma testing, Chlamydia trachomatis testing is performed only on samples taken using Aptima collection devices (Hologic); Molecular Mycoplasma pneumoniae testing is performed on respiratory samples only. Ureaplasma testing is not currently provided by the NVRL.
Faecal Swabs
Faecal swabs are now available for ordering.
Rectal sample collection guide