Specimen Requirements

Specimens must be collected with Cepheid Xpert CT/GC PCR Collection Kit. Only swabs contained in Cepheid Xpert CT/GC PCR Collection Kit may be used to collect patient specimens. Collect specimens as follows:

Specimen source is required.

Specimen Type: Endocervical swab or a patient-collected vaginal swab (collected in a clinical setting)

Container/Tube: Cepheid Xpert CT/NG PCR Collection Kit

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Insert dry testing (aka smaller swab)  swab 2" into the vagina or 1 to 1-1/2 cm into endocervical canal and rotate vigorously for 30 seconds. 
2. Place swab into transport tube provided in collection kit and break at the score line.

3. Cap tube securely.

4. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Specimen Type: First portion (catch) or "dirty" urine (male and female)

Container/Tube: Urine may be initially collected in a sterile container

Specimen Volume: 20-50 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Clean-catch, mid-stream specimen is not acceptable.

2. Patient should be instructed not to urinate for 1 hour prior to sampling. 
3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen. 

Additional Information:

All urine specimens must be pipetted over into a Cepheid Xpert CT/GC PCR Urine Collection Kit containing PCR stabilizing agents with the pipette provided in the kit within 24 hours of primary collection if stored at ambient (room) temperature.** Using the pipette provided, fill to the line on collection device. Once the urine has been transferred, the Cepheid collection tube needs to be tightly capped and inverted 5 times to mix.

**Note: If the urine cannot be transferred to the Cepheid Xpert CT/GC Urine Collection Kit immediately, the initial urine specimen may be refrigerated up to 24 hours before being transferred.

Female Urine Specimens: First portion (catch) female urine specimens must be transferred to the Cepheid Xpert CT/GC Urine Collection Kit transport tube within 24 hours of primary collection if shipped/stored at ambient (room) temperature.

Male Urine Specimens: First portion (catch) male urine specimens must be transferred the Cepheid Xpert CT/GC Urine Collection Kit transport tube within 72 hours (3 days) of primary collection if shipped/stored at ambient (room) temperature.