PrEP, Female, Oral Monitor + HIV RNA

Serum specimen: Usual blood collection technique.

Option 1: Gen-Probe® Aptima® Endocervical or Vaginal Swab

Endocervical swab: Remove excess mucus from the cervical os and surrounding mucosa using the cleaning swab (white-shaft swab in the package with red printing). Discard this swab. Insert the specimen collection swab (blue-shaft swab in the package with green printing) into the endocervical canal. Gently rotate the swab clockwise for 10 to 30 seconds in the endocervical canal to ensure adequate sampling. Withdraw the swab carefully; avoid contact with the vaginal mucosa. Remove the cap from the swab specimen transport tube and immediately place the specimen collection swab into the transport tube. Carefully break the swab shaft at the scoreline; use care to avoid splashing of the contents. Recap the swab specimen transport tube tightly.

Vaginal swab: Care provider specimen: Collect vaginal fluid sample using the Gen-Probe® Aptima® vaginal swab kit by contacting the swab to the lower third of the vaginal wall and rotating the swab for 10 to 30 seconds to absorb fluid. Immediately place the swab into the transport tube and carefully break the swab shaft against the side of the tube. Tightly screw on the cap. Patient self-collection: Partially open the package of the Gen-Probe® Aptima® vaginal swab kit. Do not touch the soft tip or lay the swab down. If the soft tip is touched, the swab is laid down, or the swab is dropped, use a new Aptima® swab specimen collection kit. Remove the swab. Carefully insert the swab into the vagina about two inches past the introitus and gently rotate the swab for 10 to 30 seconds, making sure the swab touches the walls of the vagina so that moisture is absorbed by the swab. Withdraw the swab without touching the skin. Immediately place the swab into the transport tube, and carefully break the swab shaft against the side of the tube. Tightly screw on the cap.

Option 2: Urine Specimen: The patient should not have urinated for at least one hour prior to specimen collection. Direct patient to provide a first-catch urine (approximately 20 to 30 mL of the initial urine stream) into a urine collection cup free of any preservatives. Collection of larger volumes of urine may result in specimen dilution that may reduce test sensitivity; lesser volumes may not adequately rinse organisms into the specimen. Female patients should not cleanse the labial area prior to providing the specimen. Add urine to the Aptima® Combo 2 urine collection device. The final volume must be between the two black lines on the device (about 2 mL).

PCR test: Centrifuge sample within 24 hours of collection. Transfer serum to a screw-cap polypropylene transport tube. Ship frozen (preferred) or refrigerated.