Detection of Herpes simplex virus type 2 by realtime PCR.
Test Code
29614
Specimen
Submit only one (1) of the following specimens:
ThinPrep® Pap specimen
Endocervical swab using APTIMA® Unisex Swab Collection Kit
Vaginal swab using APTIMA® Multitest Swab Specimen Kit
Specimen Collection
ThinPrep® specimens – please refer to instructions in Collection of Pap Specimens Using Thin Prep.® Collect material as for a routine Pap specimen; it is important that cervical mucus be removed.
Swab specimen – swab the lesion, using sufficient pressure to ensure good contact of the swab with the lesion. Gently rotate the swab. Remove the cap from the specimen transport tube and immediately place the swab into the tube. Carefully break the shaft against the side of the tube at the scoreline, then discard the top portion of the swab shaft. Tightly recap the tube.
Storage Requirements
Store specimens at room temperature (15 to 30°C) until transported. DO NOT freeze.
Causes for Rejections
APTIMA® swab vial specimens submitted without a swab will be rejected.
Test results may be affected by improper/inadequate specimen collection.
A negative result indicates that HSV-2 DNA is not present at detectable quantities. It does not indicate that an individual has never been exposed to HSV-2, and does not exclude the possibility of latent infection.