Trichomonas vaginalis
Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance
Submit all specimens to 50 Orms St, Providence RI 02904. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
STI & Arbovirus Laboratory 401-222-5591
Trichomonas vaginalis
Trichomoniasis (Trichomonas infection)
Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) testing is performed using the FDA-cleared Aptima Assay for TV (Hologic) on the Panther System.
FDA cleared specimens include: Clinician-collected swabs (endocervical and vaginal), patient-collected vaginal swab specimens collected in a clinical setting, and female and male urine specimens.
Results should be used in conjunction with the patient's clinical symptoms, medical history, and other clinical/laboratory findings to determine an overall clinical diagnosis.
Specimen Collection: (Follow instructions for collection printed on each collection kit). This test is only approved for specimen types listed in Specimen Section. Specimens received from other sites will be rejected.
Note: The performance of the Trichomonas vaginalis Assay has not been evaluated in adolescents less than 14 years of age.
Aptima Unisex Swab Collection Kit: Clinician-collected endocervical
Aptima Multitest Swab Collection Kit: Clinician-collected vaginal, and patient-collected vaginal swab specimens collected in a clinical setting.
Refrigerate specimens at 2-8⁰C.
Note: if requested, a single Clinician-collected Unisex Swab Collection Kit (endocervical) or Multitest Swab Collection Kit (vaginal) can be used for testing Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis
Aptima Urine Collection Kit: male and female urine specimens.
Note: if requested, a single Urine Collection Kit can be used for testing Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis.
For additional information refer to the specimen collection tube guidance chart
CLIA regulations require specimens be labeled with at least two patient identifiers. Examples of identifiers are first and last name, date of birth, chart/medical record number. The specimen container must be labeled to match the test requisition or the electronic order.
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
Trichomoniasis
Indicate source type in Source/Site box on requisition
Refrigerate prior to transport at 2-8⁰C.
Swab specimen must be received within 60 days of collection.
Urine specimen must be received within 30 days of collection. Urine must fall between the two black lines (window) located on the collection tube.
Refrigerated: Transport and deliver to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection at 2-8°C in a cooler able to maintain specimen temperature. A plug-in electric cooler is recommended, however, a cooler packed with excess frozen gel packs is acceptable as long as the transport temperature is maintained at 2-8°C.
Specimen must be packaged & transported in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.
Specimens not received in appropriate collection kit will be rejected.
If specimens are received outside of the required transport temperature range, they will not be tested, and a rejection report will be issued.
The following rejection criteria will be used to ensure accurate specimen information and specimen condition for testing:
- Specimen received outside acceptable transport range
- Demographics different of specimen
- Two identifiers required on specimen / Unable to read identifiers on specimen
- Expired/ incorrect collection kit
- Insufficient quantity
- Urine cup received
- No specimen received
- Specimen leaked in transit
- Test not evaluated in adolescents < 14
- No swab received
- Specimen too old
Negative
3 business days
Kits are available from the RISHL Center for Laboratory Support Services and may be obtained Monday-Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. Kit order forms can be emailed to ridoh.centralservices@health.ri.gov