Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT) is available for Trichomonas Vaginalis, Chlamydia Trachomatis, Neisseria Gonorrhoeae and Herpes Simplex Virus - see Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Samples from the following categories or with the following clinical details will be cultured:

  • Semen
  • Females under 15 years of age
  • All hospital or outpatient department patients
  • Blood loss / intramenstrual bleeding / spotting / post coital bleeding
  • Abdominal pain
  • Cervicitis
  • Dyspareunia
  • Endometriosis
  • Group B streptococci
  • Labour
  • Miscarriage / termination of pregnancy
  • Postnatal
  • Postoperative
  • Preoperative
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Persistent or recurrent (4 or more episodes per year) of Candidiasis or treatment failure
  • Septic abortion / intrauterine death
  • Symptoms not characteristic of Candidiasis or Bacterial Vaginosis

Sample type

For bacterial culture:

  • high or low vaginal swab
  • cervical swab
  • semen sample

Specimen requirements

Swabs should be sent in ∑-TRANSWAB® (MWE) (purple top); if unavailable use Amies medium black top swab

Semen samples should be sent in a sterile universal container

Minimum volume

N/A

Frequency of test

Daily

Turnaround time

5 days

What to request on EPR

Genital swab MCS