Necessary Information

Specimen source is required.

Specimen Required

The high sensitivity of amplification by polymerase chain reaction requires the specimen to be processed in an environment in which contamination of the specimen by Ureaplasma DNA is not likely.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen Type: Swab

Supplies:

-Culturette (BBL Culture Swab) (T092)

-BD E-Swab (T853)

-M4-RT (T605)

Sources: Vaginal, cervix, urethra, urogenital, chest/mediastinal; bronchus or lung (donor swab), or upper respiratory sources

Sources for infants younger than 3 months: Nasopharynx, nose, throat

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Culture swab transport system (Dacron or rayon swab with aluminum or plastic shaft with either Stuart or Amies liquid medium)

Acceptable: Swab in transport media: M4, M4-RT, M5, M6, universal transport media, or ESwab

Specimen Volume: 1 Swab

Collection Instructions:

Vaginal:

1. Collect specimen by swabbing back and forth over mucosa surface to maximize recovery of cells.

2. Place swab back into swab cylinder.

Urethra or cervical:

1. Collect specimen by inserting swab 1 to 3 cm and rotating 360 degrees.

2. Place swab back into swab cylinder.

Wound:

1. Collect specimen by swabbing back and forth over wound surface to maximize recovery of cells.

2. Place swab back into swab cylinder.

Specimen Type: Fluid

Sources: Pelvic, peritoneal, amniotic, prostatic secretions, semen, reproductive drainage or fluid, pleural/chest, chest tube, pericardial

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 1 to 2 mL

Specimen Type: Respiratory

Sources: Sputum, tracheal secretions, bronchial washings, bronchoalveolar lavage, lung fluid

Sources for infants younger than 3 months: Nasal washings (not acceptable for older patients))

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 1 to 2 mL

Specimen Type: Synovial fluid

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Lavender top (EDTA)

Acceptable: Pink top (EDTA), royal blue top (EDTA), sterile vial containing EDTA-derived aliquot, red top (no anticoagulant), or sterile container

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions: Send fluid specimen in original tube.

Specimen Type: Urine-first void, kidney/bladder stone, or ureter

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 10 mL or entire specimen

Collection instructions:

Urine first void:

1. Specimen can be collected at any time during the day. The patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to specimen collection.

2. The first voided portion is the initial 20 to 30 mL of the urine stream obtained without cleaning the external urethra.

Specimen Type: Tissue

Sources: Placenta, products of conception, urogenital, respiratory, bronchus, chest/mediastinal, bone, spine, or joint

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 5 mm(3)

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect fresh tissue specimen.

2. Submit fresh tissue only, do not add fluid to tissue

3. Refrigerate or freeze specimen.