Specimen Collection kits for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NAAT) shortage
Advisory Alert
November 20, 2020
*Cette information est seulement disponible en anglais.
To: Community Health Care Providers
FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
The purpose of this Advisory Alert is to provide an update regarding the shortage of Hologic Aptima collection kits for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT). This shortage is due to the current global demand. At this time, Public Health Ontario (PHO) Laboratory is only able to provide limited quantities of the urine collection kits as well as the Unisex and Multitest swabs kits to address client needs. To help manage the specimen collection kit shortage, PHO is recommending that specimen collection be prioritized based on:
- physician assessment
- routine screening selectively restricted on clinical indications and risk factors for testing
Please consult the Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections and Public Health Ontario’s Gonorrhea Testing and Treatment Guide for additional information on risk factors and clinical manifestations of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
- https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/sexual-health-sexually-transmitted-infections/canadian-guidelines/chlamydia-lgv/risk-factors-clinical-manifestation.html#a1
- https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/diseases-and-conditions/infectious-diseases/sexually-transmitted-infections/gonorrhea
Public Health Ontario (PHO) will be reviewing all requests for collection kits based on the requestor’s past specimen submissions to PHO for this testing and adjust based on available stock. Clients will not be advised individually to confirm the quantities that will be allocated. If there is no record of PHO receiving specimens from the client, the requisition for specimens containers and supplies will be returned indicating -Unconfirmed PHO client-.
We will continue to provide you with updates regarding the availability of Hologic Aptima collections kits as we receive them. Once the supply of Hologic Aptima collections kits returns to normal, routine screening of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae can occur.
For additional information regarding the collection kits available, please refer to the following resources on Public Health Ontario’s website:
- Test information index
- Labstract, Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae – Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing
Sincerely,
Original Signed By
Dr. Penny Sutcliffe
Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer
NOTE: All Advisory Alerts are found on our website.
This item was last modified on November 20, 2020