Urethral swab
Sampling protocol
- Urethritis
- Genital discharge
- Sexually transmitted disease
- In case of abundant exudate, a drop of purulent discharge is collected with a sterile swab or sterile bacteriological loop and immediately used to prepare a thin film on a clean microscopic slide
- If no discharge is evident, the urethra is stripped towards the orifice to express some pus
- Insert a thin swab 2-4 cm into urethral lumen, rotate swab, leave in place for at least 2 seconds and withdraw
- Insert swab in swab transport system.
- Gloves
- Microscopic slide
- Thin swab (If transport > 2h, place the swab in transport medium)
To assure a high isolation rate, the specimen should be transported to the lab with as little delay as possible.
Refrigeration should be avoided