Request information
Please request via NPEx (where available) or complete the relevant SBSTIRL request form.
There are separate request forms for submission of N. gonorrhoeae cultures, specimens that are N. gonorrhoeae NAAT positive, for LGV real time PCR, and for M. genitalium resistance testing by sequencing.
All specimens must be labelled with the following information:
- Unique Identifier (Surname & Forename/CHI number/NaSH number)
- Date of birth
- Sender’s Laboratory Number
All specimens must be accompanied by the appropriate request form with the following information:
- Patient’s unique Identifier (Surname & Forename/CHI number/NaSH number)
- Patient’s date of birth and gender
- Specimen type/site
- Sender’s Laboratory Number
- Location of Sender
- Any relevant clinical information
Samples not received with an appropriately completed request form, or that are leaking may be discarded.
Sample types
N. gonorrhoeae culture
‘Chocolate agar’ slope of the culture after a minimum of 6 hours incubation at 35-37ºC, 5% CO2
or
Overnight growth of organism transferred to an Amies charcoal agar transport swab
Clinical specimens that are N. gonorrhoeae NAAT positive
Confirmed positive GC NAAT specimens with PCR CT <25 or Hologic RLU ≥3000 in any media as recommended by the NAAT manufacturer. Please indicate on supplemental GC NAAT request forms which test has already been performed and the result.
LGV PCR
Any NAAT specimen that is Chlamydia trachomatis positive meeting the following criteria: specimens from symptomatic patients, contacts of LGV, and chlamydia-positive swabs from HIV-positive patients.
M. genitalium resistance testing
Any NAAT specimen that is M. genitalium positive. Please indicate which collection medium the sample has been transported in.
Sample transportation
Specimens should be appropriately packaged in accordance with current regulations.
Please ensure N. gonorrhoeae cultures arrive Monday-Friday. Do not send on Fridays. Viability in transit cannot be guaranteed beyond 2 days.