Storage and Stability

Swab specimens:

After collection, transport and store the swab in the swab specimen transport tube at 2°C to 30°C until tested. Specimens must be assayed with the APTIMA Combo 2 Assay within 60 days of collection. If longer storage is needed, freeze at -20°C to -70°C for up to 12 months after collection.

Urine specimens:

Urine samples that are still in the primary collection container must be transported to the lab at 2°C to 30°C. Transfer the urine sample into the APTIMA urine specimen transport tube within 24 hours of collection. Store at 2°C to 30°C and test within 30 days of collection.

After collection, transport the processed urine specimens in the APTIMA urine specimen transport tube at 2°C to 30°C and store at 2°C to 30°C until tested. Processed urine specimens should be assayed with the APTIMA Combo 2 Assay within 30 days of collection. If longer storage is needed, freeze at -20°C to -70°C for up to 12 months after collection.

PreservCyt Solution liquid Pap specimens:

PreservCyt Solution liquid Pap specimens intended for CT and/or GC testing must be processed for cytology and/or transferred to an APTIMA Specimen Transfer tube within 30 days of collection when stored at 2ºC to 30ºC.

Once the PreservCyt Solution liquid Pap specimen is transferred to the APTIMA Specimen Transfer tube, the specimen must be assayed with the APTIMA Combo2 Assay within 30 days when stored at 2°C to 8°C or 14 days when stored at 15°C to 30°C. If longer storage is needed, freeze at -20°C to -70°C for up to 12 months after transfer.