Gynecologic Pap Test, Liquid-based Preparation and Chlamydia trachomatis, NAA

Diagnose primary or metastatic neoplasma; detect Chlamydia trachomatis.

Failure to obtain adequate ectocervical, endocervical, or vaginal cell population is suboptimal for evaluation. Excessive use of lubricating jelly on the vaginal speculum will interfere with cytologic examination and may lead to unsatisfactory Pap results.

Testing for Chlamydia trachomatis requires special procedures to be used in the processing of the cytology specimen; therefore, testing for these organisms cannot be added on after the specimen has been submitted. The liquid-based cytology specimen must be processed for Chlamydia trachomatis testing.

Any time a transport device used for molecular testing is processed, the chance of cross-specimen contamination increases. Aptima® transports can be placed directly on the analyzer, limiting the possibility of cross-specimen contamination.

Hutchinson ML, Cassin CM, Ball HG 3rd. The efficacy of an automated preparation device for cervical cytology. Am J Clin Pathol. 1991 Sep; 96(3):300-305. PubMed 1877527

Hutchinson ML, Isenstein LM, Goodman A, et al. Homogeneous sampling accounts for the increased diagnostic accuracy using the ThinPrep® Processor. Am J Clin Pathol. 1994 Feb; 101(2):215-219. PubMed 8116578

Joseph MG, Cragg F, Wright VC, Kontozoglou TE, Downing P, Marks FR. Cyto-histologicall correlates in colposcopic clinic: A 1-year prospective study. Diagn Cytopathol. 1991; 7(5):477-481. PubMed 1954825

Johnson RE, Newhall WJ, Papp JR, et al. Screening tests to detect Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections-2002. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2002 Oct 18; 51(RR15):1-38. PubMed 12418541

Wilbur DC, Cibas ES, Merritt S, James LP, Berger BM, Bonfiglio TA. ThinPrep® Processor, Clinical trials demonstrate an increased detection rate of abnormal cervical cytologic specimens. Am J Clin Pathol. 1994 Feb; 101(2):209-214. PubMed 8116577

Patients should avoid douches 48 to 72 hours prior to examination. Specimens should not be collected during or shortly after menstrual period.