Genital tract swabs

High Vaginal Swabs (HVS), Vaginal swabs, Cervical swabs are processed by wet prep microscopy for Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), yeast and WBC, Gram stain for bacterial vaginosis (BV) and isolation, identification and susceptibility testing of any organism likely to be pathogenic. Lower Vaginal Swabs (LVS) and vulval swabs are processed as above except BV gram will not be performed. Penile discharge, urethral, sub-preputial swabs are processed by Gram stain for pus cells and organisms, isolation, identification and susceptibility of any organism likely to be pathogenic. Note wet preps cannot be performed on dry swabs. Turn around time 2-3 days. Bacterial culture is NOT the most sensitive screening test for N gonorrhoea. For screening, an Aptima sample for combined Chlamydia/Gonorrhoea testing performed in virology is usually the most appropriate sample.