Chlamydia trachomatis - Culture

Alternative Names/Synonyms	Culture of C. trachomatis
Laboratory	Microbiology
Sub-section	Bacteriology
Specimen Type	○ Genital and non-genital swabs (rectal, throat, conjunctival) ○ Tissue ○ Neonatal – fluid from auger suction, transtracheal/NP aspirates, conjunctival swabs

Other Information

○ Urine and seminal fluid are not acceptable specimen sites for C. trachomatis culture.
○ For N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis PCR, see N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis detection

Specimen Requirements (Tube Type)

○ Swabs: universal transport medium (UTM)
○ Tissue/fluids: sterile container (1mL of fluid ideally)

Collection Requirements

Swabs
○ Collect specimen from areas indicated based on clinical presentation and previous history, rotate swab several times to collect any discharge if present. Place swabs in UTM. If N. gonorrhoeae culture is requested, place each swab in a separate Amies transport medium.
Biopsy tissue:
○ Collect 5-10 mm3 tissue aseptically using surgical technique. Place in a clean, sterile container with a small amount of sterile saline to prevent drying.

Sample Stability

Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery

Referral Laboratory

PHOL

Routine Turnaround Time

○ Up to 7 days from receipt by PHOL

Laboratory Contact Information

416-586-4800 extension 4470

Approval Required

Sample Processing / Delivery

○ Label specimen container. Place specimens in biohazard bag and seal.

○ Transport specimens to the UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory at refrigeration temperature (2-8˚C) ASAP after collection.

○ The specimen will be referred to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory for testing