Specimen Requirement

Preferred Specimen(s)

1 mL Liquid Cytology (PreservCyt®) preservative (ThinPrep®) in Aptima® vaginal collection kit or Aptima® specimen transfer tube (green label)

Alternative Specimen(s)

Aptima® Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kit (white label) for vaginal specimens • ThinPrep® vial

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Collection Instructions

Labs performing cytology: Aliquot PreservCyt® solution before or after performance of liquid based cytology testing.

PreservCyt®: Transfer 1 mL of PreservCyt® solution into Aptima® vaginal collection tube or Aptima® specimen transfer tube (green label). Ship to lab.

Note: Cervical sources are required for HPV testing. If a vaginal source from a patient who has had a total hysterectomy with removal of cervix was submitted, please contact the testing laboratory for alternative testing options.

Transport Container

Aptima® transport tube

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

• Room temperature: 60 days
• Refrigerated: 60 days
• Frozen: 2 years