Temperature does not affect the Alinity m Multi-Collect Specimen test tubes for analysis of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a global problem that in a worst-case scenario can cause infertility. The need for urgent testing of the most common STIs is growing larger by the year. At the time of the study in Västernorrland, Sweden, large parts of the population live in rural areas and have long distances to healthcare centres. Homebased self-sampling existed for urine and vaginal swabs, but it was unknown if the Alinity m Multi-Collect Specimen (MCS) test tubes could handle the varied temperatures in the county. Objective: To test if the MCS test tubes used for PCR analysis of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae could withstand different temperatures. Material and methods: A total of 40 pooled patient samples were tested and analysed at day 0, 1, 2 and 3 with the PCR instrument Alinity m STI Assay. Three different temperature intervals were stimulated at the lab, the temperatures were Warm, Around Zero and Cold, above or under what the manufacturer specified the tubes could handle. Results: The samples were stable throughout the days; most had a standard deviation of less than 0,50 cycle number (CN) with only two samples having a CN over one. Chlamydia varied the most in the Cold temperature interval while gonorrhoeae varied most at the Warm temperature interval, but both had a mean standard deviation of 0,38 and 0,32 CN respectively and thus barely any change. Conclusion: This study showed that the MCS test tubes can keep the samples stable despite the variation in temperature.